Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta Meets with Wang Yi

On June 4, 2022 local time, Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dili.

Ramos-Horta asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, saying Timor-Leste admires China's extraordinary achievements under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other major initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. China's development not only greatly benefits Timor-Leste, but also is of great significance to the region and the world.

Ramos-Horta thanked the Chinese government and people for their tremendous support in the past years. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, we have unswervingly adhered to the one-China principle no matter what difficulties and pressures we faced. Timor-Leste is full of confidence in and expectation for the future of bilateral relations.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings. He expressed appreciation to President Ramos-Horta for signing the joint communique on establishing diplomatic ties with China on the day of independence in 2002 when he served as the first Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, who jointly opened a new page in bilateral relations, and witnessed and promoted bilateral friendship. Wang Yi said, over the past 20 years, the two countries have treated each other as equals, understood each other and supported each other. Timor-Leste has become an important partner of the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has played a positive role in Timor-Leste's economic and social development, infrastructure construction and improvement of people's lives. Immediately after the COVID-19 outbreak, China sent charter flights to Timor-Leste to help its fight against the pandemic. Chinese medical teams treated patients and saved lives in Timor-Leste, and have benefited 300,000 people in the country. China has also taken an active part in the UN peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste, contributing to peace and stability there. China is ready to work with Timor-Leste to take the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to review their successful experience and draw up a blueprint for the future, so as to elevate the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership to a new level and set an example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development among countries of all sizes.

Wang Yi said, the two sides need to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and initiate new landmark projects. China is ready to support Timor-Leste in enhancing its capability for self-development, accelerating its agricultural modernization and industrialization, and achieving diversified development. The Chinese side will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Timor-Leste, contributing to its development and revitalization.

The two sides reached consensus on strengthening regional cooperation. Wang Yi said, China supports Timor-Leste in playing an active role in regional and international affairs and expects to see its early entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and becoming a member of the Asian family, on which Ramos-Horta expressed gratitude for China's support as well as the hope that the long-cherished wish will come true at an early date.

The two sides pledged to uphold and safeguard multilateralism. Wang Yi said, China expects Timor-Leste to take an active part in the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, both of which have won widespread support. Ramos-Horta said, Timor-Leste always sticks to its principles despite being a small nation. Timor-Leste advocates peaceful settlement of differences through dialogue and consultation as well as unity in responding to challenges facing international peace and security.

On the same day, Wang Yi met with Timor-Leste's Founding Father Xanana Gusmão, General-Secretary of Fretilin Mari Alkatiri and President of the National Parliament Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes.

During the visit, Wang Yi met with Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, held talks with Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, and attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.

After the meeting, Wang Yi, accompanied by Ramos-Horta, met the press and answered impromptu questions.