China’s President Xi Jinping has encouraged more Chinese firms to invest in East Timor to support the country’s infrastructure development, official news agency Xinhua reported.

He made the remarks in a meeting on Wednesday with East Timor President Taur Matan Ruak.

“China and East Timor are friendly partners,” President Xi was quoted as saying. “Both sides need to maintain close high-level exchanges, and strengthen co-operation in the fields of economy and trade, agriculture, tourism and petrochemicals, as well as expanding people-to-people exchanges.”

He added: “The Chinese government is willing to encourage more enterprises to invest in East Timor to support its infrastructure development.”

The Chinese President stated both countries should enhance co-operation on climate change, the United Nations’ post-2015 development agenda and other issues.

President Ruak applauded China’s support in the development of East Timor, saying his country remains committed to co-operation with China, Xinhua reported.

East Timor’s President is leading an official delegation to China from September 1 to 5. It is Mr Ruak’s first official visit to the country, according to Portuguese news agency Lusa. The visit aims to intensify co-operation between the two nations, particularly in the fields of tourism, agriculture, job training, and the oil and gas sector.