China willing to expand practical cooperation with Timor-Leste: NPC vice chairman

China is willing to expand practical cooperation with Timor-Leste, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) Chen Zhu said here Wednesday.

Chen, who is here for a visit, made the remarks while meeting separately with Timor-Leste President Taur Matan Ruak, Timor- Leste Prime Minister Rui Maria de Arajo and holding talks with Speaker of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste Vicente da Silva Guterres.

The friendly contact between China and Timor-Leste dates back to a long time ago, said Chen during his meeting with the Timor- Leste leaders.

The NPC vice chairman said that the two countries established a comprehensive cooperative partnership of good-neighborly friendship, mutual trust and mutual benefit in 2014, opening a new chapter for the China-Timor-Leste relations.

Chen said that under the initiative of building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China is willing to expand the practical cooperation with Timor-Leste in sectors including economy and trade, infrastructure construction and people-to- people etc.

The NPC is willing to strengthen the friendly relations with the National parliament of Timor-Leste to deepen the bilateral ties, he said.

The Timor-Leste leaders expressed their gratitude for the continuous support and assistance China has provided to the independence and development of Timor-Leste, adding that Timor- Leste will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy and actively participate in the construction of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Both sides also exchanged views on the international and regional issues of common concern.

Chen Zhu started his 3-day visit to Timor-Leste on Tuesday after he attended the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Hanoi, Vietnam. Endi