Your Excellency Mr. Joao Cancio, Minister of Education,

Your Excellency Mr. Joao Goncalves, Minister of Economy and Development,

Your Excellency Mr. Paulo Assis Belo, Vice Minister of Education,

Your Excellency Ms. Vicky Tchong, Representative of the Foreign Ministry,

Distinguished Guests, and Dear Friends,

      I am so pleased to attend today's ceremony to inaugurate the elementary school project under the Chinese Aid, and would like to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Government, the warm congratulations for this happy event.

      I have noted with pleasure that the Timorese Government has attached great importance to education and scored gratifying achievements through unremitting efforts and hard work, which is best illustrated by the fact that Oecusse has recently become the first District free from illiteracy. China follows closely with Timor-Leste's educational development and stands ready to offer necessary help in this regard.  The inauguration of the elementary school project marks a new starting point for China and Timor-Leste in educational cooperation.  I promise you, in not very long time, you will see right here a brand new school for nearly 500 students and teachers, which covers an area of 4000 square meters and boasts of 1100 square meters of floor space.

      Recent years have witnessed the comprehensive and in-depth development of the friendly relations between China and Timor-Leste, of which the fruitful achievements in the educational exchanges and cooperation deserves particular mentioning. So far, up to 21Timorese students have been admitted to the renowned Chinese universities under the Chinese Government Scholarship program, studying various majors such as international politics, medical science, the science of law, communication engineering, etc. Since 2009, the quota of Chinese Government Scholarship to Timor-Leste has been doubled, from 3 each year to 6 each year, and the figure might go up in the coming years. Except for government scholarship, the Chinese Government also provided over the years more than 500 short-term training opportunities for Timor-Leste.

      I am fully convinced, with our concerted efforts, the exchanges and cooperation between China and Timor-Leste in the educational field will make greater progress in the years to come.

      Thank you very much!