On 18 March 2016,Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin met with Vice Foreign Minister Soares of Timor-Leste, who was in China to attend the first meeting of China-Timor-Leste Joint Committee of Economics and Trade.

Liu Zhenmin stated that the Chinese side attaches importance to developing comprehensive cooperative partnership with Timor-Leste and will continue to support the building and development of Timor-Leste. China is ready to strengthen complementarity with Timor-Leste on each other's development strategies and deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in the various areas. Soares expressed thanks to the Chinese side for its strong support and assistance and indicated that relations with China is one of the most important bilateral relationships for Timor-Leste. The Timor-Leste side will work with China to make new progress in the bilateral relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the South China Sea. Liu Zhenmin elaborated on China's position on the South China Sea and the arbitration case initiated by the Philippines. Soares expressed understanding of the China's position and the belief that relevant countries should continue to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through friendly consultation and negotiation in accordance with universally recognized principles of International laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS).