Monico Puentevella, the Philippine Olympic Committee First Vice- President, told Xinhua in a previous interview that achievement by Philippine athletes in the Olympics would be a timely lift-up in the spirits of Philippine people, who are suffering the double blows of economic slowdown and record-high inflation.

"A medal of any color will do. We really need this," Puentevella said.

Arroyo said she has confidence that most of the objectives set up seven years ago for China as an Olympic Games host country will be met and she is looking forward to see the spectacular facilities, exciting games, among a series of things that come as the result of China's seven-year preparation.

Before she attends the opening of Olympics on Friday night, Arroyo is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other heads of the states who are also in town for the Olympics opening.

The President's Office said economic cooperation and mutual investment would be a priority in Arroyo's meetings with foreign country heads and she will also meet with businessmen in China to discuss investment opportunities.

Despite the controversy over a Chinese company-contracted railway project in the Philippines, Arroyo said she considers China a "very important" partner to the Philippines and the two neighboring countries' relationship is so strong that it "won't be affected by any single issue."

"I believe both of us have realized it is in our best interest to continue the stable relationship with each other." Arroyo said she would not swerve from cultivating a stronger Philippine-China relationship and deepened cooperation in the remaining two years of her term as the country's chief.

According to the schedule, Arroyo will take an early flight on Thursday morning to China's southwestern province of Sichuan to visit cities devastated by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake in May, killing nearly 70,000 people.

Arroyo said she would console survivors and families of the quake victims and ask what assistance the Philippines can provide besides the humanitarian materials that have been sent there.

"I think this is a good opportunity for the Philippines and China to work together and cooperate together," Arroyo said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)