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China-Australia relations
ChinaDiplomacy

East Timor deals cap Chinese foreign minister’s 10-day Pacific blitz

  • Two countries sign range of economic agreements while Dili tries to balance its relationship with major powers
  • China to work with East Timor to support central role of the UN, minister says

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) greets East Timorese Foreign Minister Adaljiza Magno during a stop in Dili, East Timor, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Teddy Ng
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up his 10-day diplomatic tour of the Pacific on Friday by signing a series of developmental assistance agreements with East Timor, Southeast Asia’s youngest nation.

In the capital Dili, Wang and East Timorese Foreign Minister Adaljiza Magno signed agreements on agriculture, media partnerships and economic and technical cooperation.

The two countries also signed a deal on sending a Chinese medical team to East Timor, and agreed to step up coordination on regional affairs.

Wang said China supported East Timor’s participation in the World Trade Organization.

“China is willing to work with developing countries including East Timor to support the central role of the United Nations; defend the international order based on international law; oppose unilateral bullying, a cold war mentality, and bloc politics confrontation; maintain regional peace and stability, and especially prevent chaos from spilling to the region from other areas,” a Chinese foreign ministry statement quoted Wang as saying.

03:15

Chinese foreign minister starts Pacific tour, offering security and free trade pacts

Chinese foreign minister starts Pacific tour, offering security and free trade pacts
Wang’s trip also took him to seven Pacific island nations, prompting concern from the United States and Australia about Beijing’s widening influence in the region, particularly in the Solomon Islands where a key security agreement was reached.
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