| Map indicating locations of China and East Timor | |
China |
Timor-Leste |
Sino-East Timor relations were established on May 20, 2002, when UN Administration of the Area was abolished, replaced by the Government of East Timor.[1] However, the Chinese government has had an "ambassadorial-level representative office in Dili" since 2001.[2]
Since Timorese Independence, China has paid for the erection of the Presidential Palace in Dili, as well as "the ministry of foreign affairs and the military residential headquarters".[3] In 2003, Beijing signed a deal with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, of which East Timor is a member, to increase trade and economic development among the countries.[4] According to Ian Storey of the Jamestown Foundation, President of East Timor Xanana Gusmão has called China a "a “reliable friend” and had committed East Timor to a One China policy"[5]
There is also increased military cooperation between the two countries, with the 2008 purchase of two Shanghai-Class patrol boats from a Chinese company.[3][6] These boats will originally be manned by Chinese sailors, while the Chinese train the Timorese to guard their coasts.[6] On top of this, China has signed a contract providing $9 million toward the building of a new headquarters for the military in East Timor.[3]
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