DILI, 01 June 2026 (TATOLI) — Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs Mariano Assanami Sabino met with Timorese students in China during an official visit to Beijing, where students shared their experiences and highlighted challenges related to studying abroad.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of Sabino’s participation in the Global Forum on Development and Poverty Reduction 2026 (GPD26). Although not part of his official schedule, the Deputy Prime Minister said it was important to engage directly with Timorese students overseas and listen to their concerns.
Sabino described the meeting as both a governmental responsibility and a personal commitment as a fellow Timorese citizen, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close ties with the country’s student community abroad.
During the dialogue, he encouraged students to uphold the values of unity, solidarity and mutual respect, saying these principles should guide Timorese citizens wherever they live and study.
He also urged students to remain committed to their academic pursuits, stressing that educational achievement should be accompanied by the development of critical thinking, adaptability, communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility.
One of the key issues raised by the students was the five-year validity period of Timorese passports. They said the requirement creates challenges for those who need to renew their passports while studying overseas, particularly because many must travel to another country where Timor-Leste maintains diplomatic representation.
To address the issue, students proposed extending passport validity from five to ten years, in line with practices adopted by many other countries. They argued that the change would reduce administrative costs and make consular services more accessible to Timorese citizens living abroad.
In response, Sabino said the Government would carefully assess the proposal and explore possible measures to better accommodate the needs of Timorese nationals residing overseas.
The Deputy Prime Minister also encouraged young people to embrace responsibility and entrepreneurship, stressing that professional success should go hand in hand with a commitment to national development.
“True leadership means putting the national interest first and using acquired knowledge to serve society,” Sabino said.
TATOLI
