DILI -- Timor-Leste and China agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various aspects during meetings held between Timorese leaders and a senior Chinese official.

Timorese President Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on Friday met separately with Qin Boyong, vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who is also the executive vice-chairperson of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association.

Qin said that China is willing to work with Timor-Leste to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and promote the continuous progress of bilateral relations toward building a community with a shared future.

The Timorese leaders expressed gratitude to China for its valuable support for Timor-Leste's development and said bilateral relations enjoy a solid foundation and are full of vitality, expressing hope to deepen development cooperation with China.

They noted that Timor-Leste firmly adheres to the one-China principle and believes that the South China Sea issue should be peacefully resolved by the parties concerned through bilateral negotiations.

Qin, who is on a visit to Timor-Leste from Friday to Sunday, also met with Maria Fernanda Lay, president of Timor-Leste's National Parliament, and Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay.