Minister of the Interior Strengthens Cooperation with China in Public Security and Combating Transnational Crime
The Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, paid a visit to the People’s Republic of China from September 8th to 10th, 2026, where he participated in the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang and held meetings with Chinese officials to strengthen cooperation on public security, combating transnational crime, border management and surveillance, and Timor-Leste’s preparations for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
The Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, brought together more than 2,100 representatives from 139 countries, territories, and international organisations. This year’s edition included sessions dedicated, among other matters, to migration management, combating drug trafficking, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, police training, and technology applied to public security.
On the sidelines of the Forum on September 8th, Minister Francisco da Costa Guterres met with the Executive Vice-Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, Qi Yanjun. Both sides reviewed bilateral security cooperation, including support for capacity-building within the Timor-Leste National Police and the sharing of knowledge and experience to prepare for security operations associated with Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
The meeting also addressed cooperation between the authorities of both countries in combating transnational crime and financial and cyber fraud. In this context, cooperation was discussed regarding the repatriation of Chinese nationals involved in illicit activities at fraud centres in Timor-Leste, following the completion of applicable judicial procedures, to enable the competent authorities to continue their investigations.
During the visit, the Minister of the Interior also met the Vice-President of China Electronics Technology Corporation (CETC), Cao Hongxing, to explore opportunities for cooperation in border management and surveillance, particularly through technologies designed to monitor the movement of people at entry and exit points throughout the territory.
The national delegation also visited CETC’s facilities, a Chinese state-owned enterprise that develops technological equipment and solutions, where they were introduced to various systems and equipment used for security and border surveillance.
On 9 September in Lianyungang, Minister Francisco da Costa Guterres received an official invitation from Guan Zhao, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Public Security of China, for Timor-Leste to participate in the International Police Cooperation Forum on Big Data between China, ASEAN and Neighbouring Countries, scheduled for September 29th and 30th, in Guiyang, Guizhou Province.
The Minister confirmed Timor-Leste’s participation in the Forum, which will feature topics including international cooperation to combat fraud, telecommunications-related crimes, and financial and digital scams.
Cooperation in these areas aligns with Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN mechanisms dedicated to combating transnational crime, including the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime 2026–2035, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation among police and security authorities.
The Minister of the Interior was accompanied by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the People’s Republic of China, Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta; Timor-Leste’s Migration Attaché in China, Mariano dos Santos; and other members of the Timorese delegation.
