Government of Timor-Leste

The military vessel of the 152^nd Chinese Maritime Task Force arrived in the port of Dili, on Saturday, January 16^th, 2015. This vessel will stay in Timor-Leste until the 20^th.

The aim of the visit is to strengthen the relationship between Timor-Leste and China, especially in the area of defence. The Chinese Navy shared also some of their experiences with the Timorese Naval Force.

The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eastern Sea Fleet, Navy Commodore of the People's Liberation Army of China, Wang Jianxuan, explained in his speech that he was proud of this visit because it is the first time that a military vessel from China visits Timor-Leste.

"Thank you for the opportunity to visit Timor-Leste, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the defence area, in the present and for the future, between these two countries that are located in the Asian region. Moreover, we had the opportunity to understand better the culture and tradition of each of the countries," said Wang.

The Commodore also asked for the Naval Force to Timor-Leste to continue to work to ensure the wealth of the Timor Sea.

The Minister of Defence of Timor-Leste, Cirilo Cristóvão, thanked the visit of the Navy of China to Timor-Leste: "I am proud and grateful for this visit and I hope it will help to deepen the relationship between the two countries."

The Minister of Defence thanked the help that the Government of China has offered to Timor-Leste.

During the stay of the Chinese military in Timor-Leste, they took part in a number of sports activities, such as basketball and soccer, having also provided health treatments to students of the Fatuhada Primary School, in Dili.