Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta highlighted deepening ties with China during his first state visit since taking office in 2022, calling Beijing a key partner for peace and development. In an exclusive interview with CMG’s Wang Guan, the Nobel laureate and founding father of his nation praised China’s vision of a “community with a shared future for mankind,” calling it a “great blueprint” for global cooperation.
Ramos-Horta, who played a pivotal role in establishing diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and China in 2002, emphasized his commitment to expanding Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. “I see no threat in China’s rise,” he stated firmly. “Quite the contrary—we welcome China’s contributions to infrastructure, education, and green energy.”
The visit, which ran from July 28-31, included talks on boosting trade and cultural exchanges. As Southeast Asia’s youngest democracy seeks to diversify its economy, Ramos-Horta sees collaborations in tech and sustainable development as game-changers. “We’re learning from China’s progress,” he added, “while staying true to our own path.”
