Your Excellency Mr. Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste,
Your Excellency Mr. Jose Luis Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste,
Your Excellency Dr. Julio Tomas Pinto, State Secretary for Defence,
The Hon. Major General Taur Matan Ruak, Commander of the F-FDTL,
The Hon. Madame Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Dear Colleagues from the Diplomatic Missions,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony for the office building project under China Aid of the Ministry of Defence and the F-FDTL. I would like to extend, on behalf the Chinese Government, the warm congratulations for such an important project that crystallizes the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Timor-Leste.
The ongoing office building project is the fourth one under China Aid for Timor-Leste, following the projects of the Foreign Ministry, the Presidential Palace and military residential quarters which started on 27th November 2009. The contractor of these projects is the China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Corporation (SIETC), a Chinese company which I believe sounds familiar to most of our Timorese friends, as they have been in Timor-Leste for 10 years, and have constructed the Foreign Ministry, the Presidential Palace and a number of local projects. SIETC is a crucial member under the flag of the Shandong Hi-speed Group Company (SDHS), represented by the Group's Chairman Mr. Sun Liang, who flied all the way from China to attend today's ceremony. SIETC has accumulated rich experience in overseas projects and enjoys a good reputation of its strength and credibility, as their projects around the globe have won them favorable comments in countries like Australia, Indonesia, Israel, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Surinam and the D.R. Congo. I believe, workers and technicians of SIETC will complete this project with high standard, high quality and high efficiency, thanks to their own strength and technical advantage, and the kind support from various Timorese departments as well. It is also my hope that this project will be a quality one, and be a new brick on the Edifice of China-Timor Friendship.
In recent years, China's economy has kept a good momentum of sound and sustained growth. As China has stipulated on many occasions, it will resolutely pursue a path of peaceful development. While striving for its own development, China will actively take its international obligations and responsibilities in line with its capability and play the role of a responsible power accordingly. In the future, China will, as always, provide Timor-Leste with due assistance within our capability. I will assure our Timorese friends, despite the limited amount, we do all we can and do it in a sincere manner. At the same time, we would be happy to discuss with our Timorese friends the new fields, new methods and new channels to expand our mutual trade, guided by such principles as equality, mutual benefit, pragmatic effects, multiple forms, etc., with a view to realizing a win-win cooperation and common development.
Your Excellency the Prime Minister, following your visit to China last October, new progress has been made in various fields in our mutual relationship. I am convinced that with your kind attention and support, through our joint efforts, the friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries will definitely move to a new high.
Thank you!
