China and East Timor are ready to boost co-operation in the fields of defence and personnel training, said the Chinese Embassy to the archipelago, in a statement last week.

In a meeting last week with Cirilo Cristóvão, East Timor’s Minister of Defence, the Chinese Ambassador to the archipelago, Liu Hongyang, said China was willing to assist in and support the development of the defence and military capacity of Southeast Asian nation.

Both sides should work on consolidating their friendship and ties, he added.

Mr Cristóvão was quoted as saying his nation was grateful for China’s support regarding East Timor’s defence. The East Timor Government hoped to enhance bilateral co-operation in the fields of personnel training, he added.