In a significant move to strengthen international relations, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta met in Beijing on Sunday to discuss enhancing bilateral ties and expanding practical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Premier Li highlighted the 22-year history of diplomatic relations between China and Timor-Leste, emphasizing the deepened political mutual trust and the fruitful outcomes of their collaborative efforts. \"China is ready to work with Timor-Leste to further our traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and achieve more outcomes to better benefit our peoples,\" Li stated.
Focusing on sustainable development, Premier Li stressed the importance of aligning their development strategies to support Timor-Leste's pursuit of a path suited to its national conditions while safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests. He underscored the need to deepen practical cooperation and inject more impetus into their respective modernization drives.
Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China aims to enhance infrastructure and connectivity with Timor-Leste, expand cooperation across a wider range of fields, and assist Timor-Leste in improving its independent development capabilities. Additionally, China expressed willingness to import more quality products from Timor-Leste and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in the region.
Premier Li also mentioned plans to deepen communication and coordination in multilateral areas, strengthen cooperation on climate policy, support Timor-Leste's early accession to ASEAN, and jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
President Ramos-Horta expressed gratitude for China's long-term support, noting that China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste. \"We highly appreciate China's important role in international and regional affairs. We firmly adhere to the one-China principle, support and actively participate in the BRI, welcome Chinese enterprises to invest in Timor-Leste, and hope to deepen our cooperation in various fields,\" Ramos-Horta affirmed.
Reference(s):
China, Timor-Leste to enhance ties and expand BRI cooperation
cgtn.com
