Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, returns from a successful working visit to China

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
Office of the Prime Minister
Media Release

Díli, 20 October 2009

Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, returns from a successful working visit to China

His Excellency the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and his delegation, arrived back from China after a successful five day working trip to re-enforce the mutual cooperation and friendship between the two nations and its’ people.

The primary purpose of the visit was to attend the Western China International Economy and Trade Fair and Second Western China Forum on International Cooperation where H.E the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão was invited to give a speech at the Opening Ceremony.

The delegation took the opportunity to study and observe the key aspects of economic development of several districts in China, mainly in and around the City of Dalian in the Liaonig Province and the City of Chengdu in the Sichuan Province, which had been devastated by anearthquake a year ago and is now a major area of re-development and reconstruction.

The main focus for the delegation was to look at recently built vital infrastructure projects, to visit various commercial and industrial activities of those provinces and to hold discussions with various Chinese officials including acting Mayor Mr. Li Wancai of the City of Dalian, Mr. Jiang Jufeng, the Governor of Sichuan Province, and members of the private sector on the models and methods used to fast track development for the benefit of the people.

The delegation also visited the shipyard in the Lushunkou District where the two Patrol Boats commissioned by the Government to protect Timor-Leste’s maritime wealth are being constructed and near completion. The patrol boats, expected to be delivered to Timor-Leste in March 2010, were purchased to combat the some US 36 million in losses per year to illegal fishing exploits, and coral destruction in Timor’s water boundaries. The Prime Minister and the delegation also visited the 36 Timorese soldiers from the F-FDTL Naval Component who are undergoing intensive training in China in preparation for the handover of the boats.

The Prime Minister met with the Premier of China, Mr. Wen Jiabao, who reconfirmed China’s commitment to contribute to the social and economic development of Timor- Leste. Jiabao bestowed a grant of 30 million Yuan to Timor-Leste.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão said upon his return “We went to China to better understand this country, to explore business opportunities, to study development and to prepare ourselves for the Shangai Expo in 2010. As an underdeveloped country, we are looking for the best examples in the world of development. Every time I go to China I see significant changes, the economy does not sleep there! It is a country that can play a crucial role to the world and to Timor-Leste.”

The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste and the people, took the opportunity to thank the Government of China and the People of China for hosting the delegation and for pledging continued support of Timor-Leste.” ENDS

For more information, please contact: António Ramos da Silva, (+ 670) 72 300 87 mailto:%7Cgabinetemediapm@gmail.com