From May 19 to 20, 2017, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Ping attended the inauguration ceremony of President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo and the celebration ceremony for the 15th anniversary of the restoration of independence of East Timor in Dili, and met with President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo.

Zhang Ping conveyed President Xi Jinping’s warm congratulation and best wishes to Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, and expressed that China and East Timor enjoy a profound traditional friendship. Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 15 years ago, both countries have constantly deepened political mutual trust and increasingly intensified practical cooperation. China actively supports the cause of the country’s development. Bilateral relations are a model of equal treatment and mutual benefit and win-win result among big and small countries. China is willing to continue to make efforts with East Timor, so as to push bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring good-neighborliness, friendship, mutual trust and mutual benefit for constant development.

Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo thanked President Xi Jinping for sending the special envoy to attend his inauguration ceremony and the celebration ceremony for the 15th anniversary of the restoration of independence of East Timor. He asked Zhang Ping to convey his warm greeting and sincere gratitude to President Xi Jinping. Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo noted that the arrival of Special Envoy showcases the friendly relations and close friendship between East Timor and China as well as between the two peoples. The country is deeply grateful for China’s long term support to East Timor’s national liberation movement and national construction. Actively supporting and participating in the “Belt and Road” construction, East Timor is willing to, together with China, further enhance cooperation in various fields and constantly uplift the development level of bilateral relations.

Zhang Ping also met respectively with President of National Parliament Aderito Hugo da Costa and Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste.