China and East Timor formally established diplomatic relations at
ambassadorial level in Dili yesterday.
A
communique on establishing diplomatic relations signed by the
foreign ministers of both countries made China the first country to
have set up diplomatic ties with East Timor since it declared
independence early yesterday.
It
said both governments are ready to develop friendly relations and
cooperation between the two countries and to actively expand
cooperation in various fields, particularly exchanges and
cooperation in trade and the economic field on the basis of the
Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
The East Timorese Government, which was sworn in by President
Xanana Gusmao yesterday morning, approved the China-East Timor
Joint Communique at its first cabinet meeting soon after the
inauguration ceremony.
The communique said China respects the independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of East Timor.
The East Timorese Government recognizes there is but one China in
the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese
territory, and that the government of the People's Republic of
China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,
said the communique.
In
an interview with Chinese journalists after signing the joint
communique, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said China
attaches much importance to relations with East Timor.
He
said China will take active measures to push forward relations
between the two countries.
The creation of the Democratic Republic of East Timor has added one
more new and good-neighborly partner to China, said Tang, who was
here to attend the independent celebrations of East Timor.
During the new historic period, there will be great potential for
friendly cooperation between China and East Timor, particularly in
oil and gas exploration, agriculture, fisheries and
telecommunications, Tang said.
Smooth political development between both sides will provide
favorable conditions for bilateral economic and trade co-operation,
he added.
China will support East Timor in joining the United Nations and
other international and regional organizations, he said.
The Chinese foreign minister left East Timor later yesterday after
a three-day visit to Dili, where he also inaugurated the new
Chinese embassy in the world's newest country.
(China Daily May 21,
2002)