Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said his country is hoping for more trade with Timor-Leste, and for greater Sino-Timorese dealings in petrochemicals, manufacturing, farming and fisheries, Xinhua reports.
The Chinese government-run news agency quotes Mr Wang as saying so when he met Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Dionísio Babo Soares in Bangkok, on the sidelines of an international meeting.
Mr Wang said Sino-Timorese cooperation prompted by the Chinese Belt and Road scheme had allowed Chinese enterprises to improve the lives of Timorese.
He said the aspiration of Timor-Leste to wield more international clout had Chinese backing.
Mr Babo Soares said Timor-Leste regarded China as a trustworthy friend, and was grateful for Chinese help in developing its economy.
Timor-Leste is a willing partner in the Belt and Road scheme and wishes to increase its links with China to strengthen the Sino-Timorese partnership, Xinhua quotes Mr Babo Soares as saying.
