BEIJING – Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to Xanana Gusmao, the new prime minister of Timor-Leste, on his assuming office.
In the message, Li said that Gusmao is a national leader loved by the people of Timor-Leste, and an old and good friend of the Chinese people.
Gusmao personally pushed for the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on the same day Timor-Leste gained independence, and has been caring and supporting the development of bilateral ties for many years, Li said.
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The Chinese premier said he is ready to work with Gusmao to lift the comprehensive cooperative partnership of good-neighborliness, mutual trust and mutual benefit between the two countries to new heights, so as to better benefit the two countries and their people.