Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories...
Beijing to welcome visitors from Philippines, Spain
Beijing is preparing for the arrival tomorrow of two visitors, Philippine President Benigno Aquino (left) and Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez. Aquino's four-day state visit follows an invitation from his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. It will be Aquino's first summit meeting with Hu. It is expected to ease tension between the two countries in the wake of recent disputes over the South China Sea. Both Beijing and Manila vowed to strengthen bilateral ties and not allow territorial disputes to overshadow their mutually beneficial relations. Aquino's visit will include talks on full implementation of the two nations' Joint Action Plan.
Jimenez (left) is visiting at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi. Securing Beijing's fresh financial support to shore up Madrid's embattled economy is at the top of her agenda. China now holds about 12 per cent of Spain's public debt - a major increase from the 4 per cent it held at the start of the global financial crisis. Spain has recently said China should be the priority of its economic diplomacy.
Party to choose replacement for Naoto Kan
Japan's ruling party elects a new leader from a field of five to replace Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who announced his resignation on Friday. The contest comes almost six months after Japan was hit by the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters and two years after the Democratic Party of Japan ousted the long-ruling conservative party. Kan announced his resignation after just 15 turbulent months in office. The winner of today's vote, to be confirmed by parliament as premier tomorrow, must tackle problems from rebuilding the disaster zone and ending the Fukushima nuclear crisis to reviving a stagnant economy and reducing huge public debt.