DILI, 28 june 2023 (TATOLI) – The Government of China, through its Embassy in Dili, expressed China’s commitment to supporting the new government in accelerating the country’s national development, including the creation of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), attracting more investment to the country, and Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN.
In a meeting at the National Parliament, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dili, Xu Danyang, and the newly elected House Speaker, Maria Fernanda Lay highlighted the importance of the bilateral relations of Timor-Leste and China to the national development of the country.
“During our meeting, the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Maria Fernanda Lay, paid special attention to the bilateral relations between China and Timor-Leste. China and Timor-Leste have a very strong relationship. China has been supporting Timor-Leste in terms of development since its independence,” Danyang said at the House of Representatives, in Dili, today.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives asked China to work closely with the new government in a particular sector in order to attract international investors to the country.
Lay also shared with Danyang about Timor-Leste’s plan for the creation of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
“We talked about Timor-Leste’s plans for the establishment of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in which China can share its experiences with Timor-Leste,” Danyang said.
He said that the creation of the SEZ will create more job opportunities for young Timorese.
The Chinese diplomat also expressed China’s commitment to fully support Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
“China will support Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. China has very close relations with ASEAN countries. Timor-Leste can and will be a full member of ASEAN,” he said.
Danyang concluded that China will continue to be a close partner and friend of Timor-Leste: “China is a developing country, but China has a good approach to modernizing its economy and so on. So we also like to share our experience with Timor-Leste to have a better life.”
Journalist: Filomeno Maritns
Editor: Nelia Borges
