The Chinese Embassy in Dili has announced the start of work on a grain depot and processing facility that China is helping build in Timor Leste.
The embassy issued a written statement saying that among the dignitaries attending the ceremonial start of construction were Timor-Leste Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Joaquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins and Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Xiao Jianguo.
The statement quotes Mr Xiao as saying the grain depot, the first the government of China has helped build abroad, will develop the grain processing industry in Timor-Leste and make the Timor-Leste economy more diverse.
The ambassador said China was willing to keep cooperating with Timor-Leste in farming, in forestry, and in fisheries and other forms of exploitation of the sea.
The grain depot and processing facility may reduce the dependence of Timor-Leste on imported grain, the Chinese Embassy statement quotes the Timor-Leste agriculture minister as saying.
