BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday extended congratulations on the 24th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
In a message to Jose Ramos-Horta, Timor-Leste's president, Xi said that over the past 24 years, Timor-Leste has made solid progress in nation-building with significant improvement in people's livelihoods and that Timor-Leste's accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last year has further enhanced its international and regional influence.
China and Timor-Leste, he said, enjoy a long-standing traditional friendship, with fruitful outcomes in mutually beneficial cooperation.
China appreciates President Ramos-Horta's consistent emphasis on developing bilateral relations and steadfast support for China in the international arena, Xi added.
Xi voiced readiness to work with Ramos-Horta to push for further progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
