Vice Minister of Trade and Industry attends meeting on cooperation between Timor-Leste and China
On March 5th, 2026, Vice Minister of Trade and Industry Augusto Júnior Trindade attended a videoconference meeting with representatives of academic institutions, economic organisations, and research centres in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to future cooperation between Timor-Leste and China. The event was organised to mark the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and ASEAN. 
In his speech, the Vice Minister expressed his gratitude to the organisers and highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation amid challenges to the global economy. He also emphasised that the relationship between China and ASEAN remains robust and serves as an example of how collaboration can promote regional stability and economic growth.
The Vice Minister also noted that, as Timor-Leste progresses in the ASEAN integration process, the Government continues efforts to strengthen economic integration through reforms in trade facilitation, modernising the customs system, and developing the digital economy. He highlighted that cooperation with international partners such as China can support the implementation of these initiatives.
During the meeting, priority areas for strengthening future cooperation between Timor-Leste and China were outlined, specifically in trade and investment, infrastructure development, digital transformation, climate change adaptation, and institutional capacity building.
Representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines—ASEAN East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), the Belt and Road Initiative Research Institute of Tsinghua University, the Hong Kong International Financial Society, the International Daily, the Sanya Institute of Public Diplomacy Research, and the Zheng He International Cooperation Organisation attended the meeting.
