The government of Timor-Leste has recently donated 500,000 U.S. dollars to China's quake-hit Sichuan Province, its first donation to another country. Nearly 100 people including Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste Zacarias Albano da Costa, and officials from relevant departments of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Parliament, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Su Jian attended the donation ceremony. At the ceremony, Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa said the government and people of Timor-Leste had always been grateful to the assistance China offered. He said his people were sympathetic with the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the devastating earthquake that hit the southwestern province and the surrounding area on May 12. He added he expected the Chinese to rebuild their homes at an early date. The friendship between the two nations is sincere and the people of Timor-Leste will always stand by the side of the Chinese, noted the foreign minister.

Su Jian appreciated the government of Timor-Leste for donating to China’s quake-hit Sichuan province, adding his country would remember this benevolent act. He said China would like to deepen its brotherly cooperative relations of mutual benefit with Timor-Leste.