Key facts
- East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta stated that smaller nations seek stability from major powers like China, the U.S., and Japan.
- Ramos-Horta affirmed that East Timor will not align with either the U.S. or China in their rivalry.
- He highlighted that Western countries, not China, have a military presence in East Timor.
- East Timor and China have agreed to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, including military and police.
- Ramos-Horta emphasized that East Timor prioritizes its national interests in its foreign policy decisions.
East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta has articulated a foreign policy stance that prioritizes stability and national interest over entanglement in major power rivalries, particularly between China and the United States. Speaking at Nikkei's Future of Asia forum and in interviews, Ramos-Horta emphasized that smaller, more fragile nations like his own look to developed countries for leadership and stability.
Ramos-Horta stated that East Timor maintains good relations with both China and the U.S., as well as with other nations like Australia, Indonesia, and India. He dismissed concerns about military cooperation with China, pointing out that Australia, the U.S., and Portugal are the countries with a military presence in East Timor. Following an upgrade in diplomatic ties, China and East Timor have committed to increased cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, trade, and poverty reduction. They also pledged to strengthen interactions between their military and police departments, including training and technology exchange.
Reflecting on his nation's journey, Ramos-Horta highlighted East Timor's progress since gaining independence in 2002. The country has seen eight undisputed elections, peaceful transfers of power, a significant increase in its national budget and life expectancy, and near-universal electricity coverage. East Timor also ranks highly for press freedom in Asia. However, Ramos-Horta acknowledged that the nation remains one of the world's poorest, with widespread poverty and hunger.
He also recounted the 2008 assassination attempt on him, offering a nuanced perspective on the event and the country's tumultuous birth. Ramos-Horta stressed that his decisions are guided by the best interests of the people of Timor-Leste, aiming to keep the country out of headlines amid escalating regional competition.