In the morning of April 9, 2014, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste in Sanya, Hainan Province.

Li Keqiang said, President Xi Jinping had a fruitful meeting with Mr. Prime Minister yesterday in Beijing. China always advocates that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, should pursue cooperation and development on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Both as developing countries, China and Timor-Leste are facing common tasks of developing economy, improving people’s livelihood and fighting against poverty. China is willing to work with Timor-Leste to deepen practical cooperation in various fields of agriculture, energy and people-to-people and cultural engagement, so as to set our bilateral relations as the example of state-to-state friendly relations between countries different in size, culture and political system.

Li Keqiang pointed out, China has proposed the strategic concept of building the “Silk Road On the Sea of the 21st Century”, and Timor-Leste is an important stop on the Road. China is willing to work with our neighbours on the sea, including Timor-Leste, to push forward the building of the “Silk Road On the Sea” and exploration of practical cooperation to achieve common development.

Li Keqiang said, China values the relations with the Portuguese-speaking countries, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with all the Portuguese-speaking countries including Timor-Leste under the framework of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Xanana said that China has played an important role in promoting peace and development in Asia and the world at large. Timor-Leste regards China as the most important cooperative partner in East Asia and thanks China for long-term valuable support for Timor-Leste in its national independence and development. Timor-Leste is willing to learn from China for experience in development, further expand friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, actively participate in building the “Silk Road On the Sea of the 21st Century”, and play a positive role in promoting cooperation between the Portuguese-speaking countries and China.

Following the talks, the Premier and the Prime Minister witnessed together the signing of relevant bilateral cooperative documents in the fields of economy, technology and tourism.

Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcoming ceremony for Xanana’s visit to China.

State Councilor Yang Jing and others were present at the above activities.