Benigno Aquino III, president of the Philippines, will seek to smooth tensions over territorial disputes in the South China sea, during his first state visit to China.

He will also be looking to tie up trade deals worth billions of dollars.

Aquino insists there is still a diplomatic solution to any disagreements with China, and he intends to pursue this with the Chinese president in Beijing.

Al Jazeera's Marga Ortigas reports from Manila.