On May 13, 2017, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin met with Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste, who was in China for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

Liu Zhenmin noted that China welcomes Minister Rala Xanana Gusmão to lead the country's delegation to attend the BRF in Beijing. Attaching great importance to and constantly deepening its friendly relations with the country, China is willing to make joint efforts with Timor-Leste to enhance the integration of development strategies, deepen cooperation in various fields centering on the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", and elevate bilateral relations to new stages.

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão expressed that Timor-Leste highly values the "Belt and Road" initiative, and believed that the participation in the "Belt and Road" cooperation will benefit the country as well as its people. Timor-Leste stands ready to, together with China, continue to deepen cooperation and constantly uplift the level of bilateral relations.