China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kong Xuanyou, is paying a visit to East Timor this week. The aim is to strengthen bilateral relations, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported.

The two-day visit started on Tuesday. Mr Kong is due to meet several East Timor’s officials, including the nation’s Prime Minister, Rui Maria de Araújo, the news agency said, quoting a press release by East Timor’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

East Timor’s Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, will also hold a meeting with Mr Kong, according to Lusa.

China’s Ambassador Liu Hongyang and a Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bai Tian, will accompany Mr Kong during his visit to East Timor, the news report said.