China and East Timor this week pledged to enhance military co-operation, China’s state-run broadcaster CRI reported.

East Timor’s Minister of Defence, Cirilo Cristovão, met his Chinese counterpart, Chang Wanquan, on Monday in Beijing.

Mr Chang said – as quoted by CRI – China is willing not only to continue the existing co-operation with East Timor’s defence forces, but also to expand on it, via mutual visits and training programmes. The aim, he added, is to strengthen bilateral military ties.

The Chinese Minister of Defence also stressed the two nations are “good neighbours” and “good partners”.

According to CRI, Mr Cristovão thanked China for its support of East Timor. He reciprocated the hope that the Southeast Asian country can deepen exchange and co-operation with China’s military.