High Level official of the People’s Republic of China meets with Prime Minister
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, April 3, 2015
High Level official of the People’s Republic of China meets with Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo met with Mr. Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress at the Government Palace, on April 1. The meeting built further on the high level exchanges of April last year when Prime Minister of the Fifth Constitutional Government H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met with both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in a landmark visit to the People’s Republic of China. Also attending the meeting were Minster of State Agio Pereira and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Roberto Soares.
Prime Minister Dr. Rui Araújo noted that this year marks the 13th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Timor-Leste and thanked the Government of China for their visit. He updated Vice Chairman Chen on the Government transition, Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan and recent achievements.
Mr. Chen affirmed the strong ties between Timor-Leste and China and the Comprehensive Partnership of Good-neighbourly Friendship, Mutual Trust and Mutual Benefit that was advanced in the China visit last year. He congratulated the Prime Minister and all members of the new Government.
Timor-Leste and China are entering a new stage of bilateral cooperation in plans for 2015/2016. Dialogue on Economic Cooperation and Trade are scheduled to begin on 16 April 2015. Cooperation in many areas were discussed during the meeting including food security, health, sports, human resources, infrastructure, environment, economic investment, security, defence and tourism.
The meeting took place in the early afternoon, after the presentation of the 2015 national budget of the Sixth Constitutional Government to the National Parliament.
Spokesperson for the Sixth Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “the Government of Timor-Leste appreciates the visit of Vice Chairman Chen as another step in Timor-Leste’s strong relationship with China. This relationship was taken to a new level last year and the Government is keen to continue the momentum in this friendship of mutual trust and mutual benefit”.
