BEIJING -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta will pay a state visit to China from July 28 to 31, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

It will be President Ramos-Horta's first visit to China since he took office in 2022, and the first state visit to China by a Timor-Leste president since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002, according to Mao Ning, another foreign ministry spokesperson, at a news briefing on Friday.

Xi will host a welcome ceremony and a banquet for Ramos-Horta, and the two presidents will hold talks, Mao said.

Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with Ramos-Horta respectively, she said.

Mao said China was the first country to recognize Timor-Leste's independence and establish diplomatic relations with it. Over the past 22 years, the bilateral relationship has continued to develop steadily.

Last September, President Xi and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening up a new chapter of bilateral relations, said the spokesperson.

The visit will be an opportunity for the two countries to further their traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the development of their comprehensive strategic partnership, she said.

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