China Backs Timor-Leste’s Swift Entry into ASEAN Membership: Wang Yi
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a significant meeting with Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The meeting underscored China’s steadfast support for Timor-Leste’s formal accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at an early date.
Minister Wang Yi emphasized the remarkable progress in bilateral relations since the elevation of the China-Timor-Leste relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership last September. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, reiterated China’s commitment to being a trusted partner for Timor-Leste, supporting its national development agenda, and contributing to international and regional affairs.
Highlighting the importance of implementing consensus reached by the leaders of both nations, Minister Wang Yi called for the continuous enhancement and upgrading of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Timor-Leste.
Minister Wang Yi emphasized China’s willingness to support the development priorities of Timor-Leste, focusing on areas such as industrial revitalization, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency, and improvement of people’s livelihoods. He also expressed China’s readiness to align development strategies and deepen cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Moreover, Minister Wang Yi proposed the establishment of an agricultural cooperation working team with Timor-Leste and emphasized the importance of deepening exchanges in various fields including culture, education, vocational training, tourism, and sports.
In response, Minister Bendito reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s adherence to the one-China principle and expressed commitment to strengthening friendly cooperation with China. He underscored Timor-Leste’s eagerness to maintain close high-level exchanges, enhance cooperation in economy, agriculture, technology, and investment, and promote the implementation of projects under the BRI to further enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with both sides exchanging views on issues of common concern, signaling their shared commitment to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation in various areas for the benefit of both nations.
