PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd will hold his first state visit to China from August 30 to September 3 to “strengthen the over three decades of friendship and mutually beneficial relations” between Manila and Beijing, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd told lawmakers during a budget presentation at the House of Representatives that President Aquino would renegotiate, among other things, the suspended North Luzon Railways (NorthRail) project during the state visit.