The Prime Minister, Rui Maria de Araújo, received the visit of the Vice Minister of International Affairs of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Chen Fengxian, at the Government Palace in Díli.

The purpose of this first visit by Chen Fengxiang was to congratulate the Sixth Constitutional Government, led by Rui Maria de Araújo, for his inauguration, as well as to strengthen bilateral relations between China and Timor-Leste.

The representative of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party took this opportunity to renew the commitment of his government to support Timor-Leste and to wish that the relations between the two countries will endure for many years. China was the first country to establish its embassy in Timor-Leste, after the restoration of independence.

The Head of the Timorese Government informed the Chinese delegation that the current Constitutional Government shares the spirit of National Unity, having adopted for its motto: “Teamwork, one for all and all for one.”

Rui Maria de Araújo also noted that Timor-Leste needs to see its economy diversified, with the State itself being as the biggest investor and employer. The Government seeks a way to explore new areas and seek opportunities for development and investment in agriculture and tourism. Therefore he encouraged the Chinese investors to explore investment opportunities in Timor-Leste.

Chen Fengxiang referred to the tourism area as a high potential for investment and for the development of Timor-Leste. Over a hundred million Chinese tourists travel every year as tourists around the world. The Chinese Vice-Minister, despite this being his first visit to Timor-Leste, has already identified its tourism potential, through direct contact with nature and the Timorese landscape. Another area identified was Timor-Leste’s potential as a port / logistics point for the Silk Road for marine cargo.

The Timorese Prime Minister also informed the Chinese delegation that the construction of two ports, one in Tibar and another on the south coast of the country, is included in the Strategic Development Plan of Timor-Leste for 2011 to 2030

At this meeting, the two leaders talked about the diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and its neighbours, Australia and Indonesia, and Rui Maria de Araújo highlighted that, for Timor-Leste, it comes to good neighbourly relations within a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of each country. Even with differences of opinion between Timor-Leste and Australia, concerning the delimitation of their maritime boundaries, the method followed is that of dialogue to find solutions.