DILI, 14 october 2021 (TATOLI) – The Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Xiao Jianguo paid a visit to Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak to talk about the latest progress on China’s anti-epidemic assistance to Timor Leste.
“Last month, China delivered two fully packed containers of Personal Protective Equipment, including 240000 face masks to Timor Leste. China is going to dispatch a special charter flight loaded with anti-pandemic supplies, for example, ventilators, oxygen concentrators, Covid-19 testing kits shortly. The products list is still under discussion,” Xiao told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Ruak, in Dili, on thursday.
He said China will continue to help Timor Leste in fighting the pandemic until a full victory.
Xiao also shared with Prime Minister on the Global Development Initiative, which was recently proposed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in his speech to the 76th UNGA: “The initiative called on the international community to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for more robust, greener and more balanced global development, and foster a global community development with a shared future.”
The Global Development Initiative embraces the people-centered core concept and identified poverty alleviation, food security, Covid-19, climate change, digital economy, and connectivity as priority areas, which is highly compatible with Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, Xiao said.
“China hopes Timor-Leste will support and join in the initiative,” he said.
The Ambassador and Primer Minister also exchanged views on AUKUS, the trilateral partnership of the USA, UK, and Australia, and their plan of building nuclear submarines for Australia.
Xiao said the trilateral partnership was a breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Treaty of Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.
“This behavior will intensify the regional situation and may trigger a regional arms race, causing worries among the neighboring countries. Indonesia and Malaysian have expressed their concerns. Forming a military bloc is the reflection of the cold war mindset. China believes currently we should focus on economic recovery and regional development, not regional military racing and confrontation,” he added.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosarion
