On the morning of September 23, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the West Lake State Guesthouse in Hangzhou with Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão who is in China to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games. Leaders of the two countries jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Timor-Leste enjoy a time-honored friendship. China was the first country to recognize the independence of Timor-Leste and establish diplomatic relations with the country. Over the past 20-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relationship between the two countries has stood the test of the changing international landscape, its political foundation becoming more solid, and its substance further enriched and expanded. The elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership meets the practical needs of the two countries to advance cooperation in keeping with the times and the common expectation of the two peoples. China will continue to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and work hand in hand with Timor-Leste on the journey of modernization, so as to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.

Xi Jinping emphasized that firmly and consistently supporting each other's core interests and major concerns is the important political foundation for the continuous advancement of bilateral relations. The two sides need to continue to carry forward fine traditions, enhance mutual support, strengthen international cooperation, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and fellow developing countries. The two sides need to continue to advance Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen cooperation in four key fields, namely industrial revitalization, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency, and improvement of people's livelihood. China supports Timor-Leste in its effort to better integrate itself into regional development structure, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Timor-Leste on such platforms as the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said that he still had a fresh memory of his meeting with President Xi Jinping during his visit to China in 2014, and he was glad that bilateral relations have continuously yielded positive outcomes in recent years. He said the people of Timor-Leste will always remember the precious support the Chinese people rendered to the country in its process of struggle for national independence, and the timely and strong help the Chinese government provided during Timor-Leste's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He also thanked China for the much-needed help China’s hospital ship provided to the people of Timor-Leste. Gusmão noted that the Belt and Road Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping meets other countries’ needs for infrastructure development, and Timor-Leste firmly supports and will actively participate in this endeavor. Timor-Leste is firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports the important visions, initiatives, policies and propositions put forth by President Xi Jinping, such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Timor-Leste and contribute to Timor-Leste’s national construction. Timor-Leste hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as infrastructure development, food security, resource development, and medical and health care, to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides issued a Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Establishing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Shen Yiqin, among others, were present at the meeting.