A member of the Timorese cabinet, Hermenegildo Augusto Cabral Pereira, has said Chinese companies are contributing to the development of Timor-Leste, engaging in cooperative efforts that improve the standard of living of ordinary Timorese, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese government-run news agency quotes the minister as saying so at a gathering held by the Chinese Embassy in Dili to mark 70 years since the People’s Republic of China was founded.

Mr Pereira said the Sino-Timorese relationship was excellent, this excellence being manifested in political and economic matters, in cooperation in defence, education and culture, and in exchanges between ordinary Chinese and Timorese.

The report quotes Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Xiao Jianguo as saying his country had always been a good neighbour, friend and partner of Timor-Leste.

Mr Xiao said the “Belt and Road” initiative offered new opportunities for both countries.

He said China would strengthen the Sino-Timorese partnership, increase Sino-Timorese cooperation, support more projects meant to improve the standard of living of ordinary Timorese and raise the Sino-Timorese relationship to new heights.