The Government of the Republic Democratic of Timor-Leste and the Government of the People’s Republic of China signed, on July 29, 2024, a set of cooperation agreements, strengthening bilateral relations in several areas of economic and infrastructure development. The signing ceremony took place in Beijing, in the presence of the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos Horta, and the President of China, Xi Jinping. 

Among the agreements signed, the Memorandum of Understanding between Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wnentao, aimed at strengthening cooperation in investments in the digital economy and promoting sustainable development. An agreement was also signed with Luo Zhaohui, from the Cooperation Agency, to promote the implementation of global development initiatives and infrastructure projects in Timor-Leste.

During the official visit, President José Ramos-Horta, accompanied by Vice-Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to China, Loro Horta, met with President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese dignitaries. President Xi Jinping expressed China’s support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, pledging to share development opportunities through regional cooperation platforms. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Freitas, also signed two other agreements, one with the China International Development Cooperation Agency, relating to technical and economic cooperation, and another with the Civil Aviation Administration of China, relating to the Air Services Agreement between the two countries. Minister Bendito Freitas highlighted the importance of the “Belt and Road” Initiative to ensure a robust partnership with China, especially regarding infrastructure development.