Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji on Monday sent a congratulatory message to his East Timorese counterpart, Mari Alkatiri, on the proclamation of independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor. The following is the full text of the message:
Your Excellency,
On the occasion of the proclamation of independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, I wish to extend, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China and in my own name, our warm congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency and your government.
In recent years, East Timor has scored remarkable achievements in its national reconciliation, economic reconstruction and the construction of state power. I believe that, under the leadership of your government, East Timor will enter new stages in the process of national development.
The establishment of diplomatic ties between China and East Timor conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries. The government of China is willing to develop a comprehensive good-neighborly, friendly relationship of cooperation with East Timor on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, and continue to provide assistance, to the best of its ability, to the economic reconstruction of East Timor.
May the Democratic Republic of East Timor enjoy prosperity and its people well being.
May Your Excellency enjoy good health and every success.
(People's Daily May 21, 2002)
