BEIJING – President Xi Jinping and his Timor-Leste counterpart José Ramos-Horta exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s restoration of independence* and the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Xi pointed out that over the past 20 years, Timor-Leste has actively developed its economy and improved people’s livelihood, showing great vitality, noting that China and Timor-Leste have a long history of friendship.
Timor-Leste is East Timor’s official Portuguese name.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, the two sides have steadily deepened political mutual trust, made solid progress in practical cooperation and witnessed ever closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges, showing a sound and steady development momentum in bilateral relations, he said.
Stressing that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Timor-Leste relations, Xi said he is ready to work with President Ramos-Horta to constantly bring their comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring good-neighborliness, friendship, mutual trust and mutual benefit to a new level, so as to better serve the two countries and their people.
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations on May 20, 2002. – Xinhua, MPD
*East Timor unilaterally declared its independence from Portugal on November 28, 1975. The half-island nation’s independence came to an abrupt end on December 7, 1975 when it was invaded by Indonesia, following Portugal’s withdrawal from its impoverished colony earlier that year. De facto, Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor ended on October 25, 1999 when the country came under transitional administration by the United Nations. De jure, Indonesian rule ended when East Timor’s independence was formally restored on May 20, 2002 and Xanana Gusmão became the country’s third president. Francisco Xavier do Amaral was East Timor’s first president for just 9 days (from November 28 to December 7, 1975). Nicolau dos Reis Lobato was the country’s second president (from December 7, 1975 to December 31, 1978, when he was killed by Indonesian troops). – HB
Caption: East Timor President José Ramos-Horta smiles during an interview with Xinhua in the half-island nation’s capital Dili last Thursday. – Xinhua
