The Macao SAR Government has announced its intention to send healthcare professionals to Timor-Leste to help develop primary healthcare there.

The government issued a written statement saying this mission to a Portuguese-language country is part of the Chinese One Belt, One Road initiative.

The statement quotes Macao Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam as saying in a meeting with Chinese National Health Commission Director Ma Xiaowei that Macao preparing to take part in hospital twinning arrangements.

Macao has played its part in the drive to develop Chinese traditional medicine by training practitioners to promote that form of healthcare, the government quotes Mr Tam as saying.