China declined to build security outpost in East Timor out of respect for Australian ‘sensitivities’: Ramos-Horta
- Mention of defence exchanges in Dili and Beijing’s new comprehensive strategic partnership prompted Australian politicians to voice concerns about the pact
- East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta says Australia is aware his government has no intention of pursuing military cooperation with China
Dili and Beijing signed a new comprehensive strategic partnership during a meeting between Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou last month.
The agreement largely covered cooperation in agriculture and infrastructure in East Timor, but the mention of defence exchanges in it prompted some Australian politicians to voice concerns about the pact.
Ramos-Horta dismissed such worries, saying he intended to obtain more Chinese aid for his country’s development projects and not pursue military cooperation with the economic giant.
“I have to say, in credit to China, we could have had more Chinese support for instance in infrastructures to our defence forces, to our police force,” Ramos-Horta said on Monday.
“So, the Chinese are actually sensitive to the sensitivities of our neighbours. So, they are more respectful of Australia’s position than Australia is of the Chinese position.”
Ramos-Horta maintained that Canberra, which last month said it “respects Dili’s ability to make its own choices”, was aware that his administration had no inclination towards forming a security tie-up with China, public broadcaster ABC reported.