On the afternoon of September 18, 2003, President Hu Jintao met with Mari Alkatiri, Prime Minister of East Timor, at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said that China and East Timor have enjoyed long-term friendship, and the two countries forged diplomatic ties soon after East Timor became independent one year ago. He said that based on mutual respect and equality, the cooperation between the two countries has expanded while mutual trust has furthered over the past year. Hu expressed appreciation for the support of East Timor to China on the Taiwan and other questions, and said that China will, as always, support the efforts made by East Timor and the international community to stabilize and develop this new country. Hu stressed that we have always held that all nations, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community. He added that China is ready to, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, further the good-neighborly relations and close cooperation with East Timor, so as to jointly push forward bilateral good-neighborly relations of cooperation.

Alkatiri thanked President Hu for his receiving and the warm hospitality of the Chinese side. He said that he is here to further improve the cooperation between East Timor and China in all fields. He said that East Timor is facing the task of rebuilding its economy, and hopes to develop the relations with China. He also expressed gratitude for the great amount of precious support and aid offered by China towards East Timor over years, as well as all-around friendly cooperation between the two countries. He also said that the East Timor government hopes to see China play a bigger role in the international and regional affairs, and will continue to adhere to the One China policy and support China's stance on the Taiwan question.