The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, together with the community of Manatuto and the Vice-Governor of Hunan Province, Zhang Jian Fei, on May 5, 2024, celebrated ten years of friendship and cooperation between the Timorese city of Manatuto and Hunan Province of the People's Republic of China.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão expressed his gratitude for Hunan Province's spirit of cooperation and stressed the importance of this cooperation in boosting the region's development. The Head of Government also encouraged the people of Manatuto to learn from the techniques and experiences brought from Hunan in order to explore new possibilities and boost local economic progress. 

During the event, the Vice-Governor of Hunan Province, Zhang Jian Fei, highlighted the long history of friendship between Timor-Leste and China, which dates back to the Ming dynasty, when the first bonds of friendship were established. He also highlighted the significant progress made over the last ten years, since the official establishment of cooperation between Hunan and Manatuto, which has resulted in several successful projects in the areas of agriculture, culture and education.

(Source: Official website of the Government of East Timor, on May 7)