Editorial | East Timor’s journey to Asean membership can be source of inspiration
Asia’s youngest country has come a long way from war and occupation to increased investment and strong relationships with its neighbours
Known officially as Timor-Leste, it is strategically located on the eastern half of the island of Timor between Indonesia and Australia. Once a Portuguese colony, it was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 and only regained independence in 2002 under UN supervision after an occupation that left around 100,000 dead and the economy in ruins.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founding father Ramos-Horta said the current situation compared to the past “is like heaven and hell”. Optimism has grown with new Asean partnerships, as well as long-standing support from other major countries, including China. Beijing sent its first batch of UN Police peacekeepers to civil-war-torn East Timor in 2000 and they stayed for 13 years. It is a reflection of its stance that all nations, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal.
Ramos-Horta gave credit to China for playing a major role in Asean’s development and progress due to its significant investments and trade with the bloc. He also stressed East Timor’s ties with the United States being strong and showcased the diplomatic triumph of East Timor’s improved ties with Indonesia post-independence.
Shifting geopolitics have generated headwinds that even long-established nations are struggling to navigate. The world should take heart in seeing East Timor stand with its Southeast Asian neighbours in a show of unity bound by “shared values and common aspirations”.