Opinion | China congratulates East Timor's independence hero, Xanana Gusmao returns to power as PM

By Augustus K. Yeung

INTRODUCTION

In a world that is led, or misled by the hegemonic US, which is actively on a smearing campaign of China, a rising nation, the right thing China can do is to fashion an appealing image to the world – by helping small and developing countries in a manageable way.

East Timor is one such small country that China can target as it has a population of about 1.5 million; its main challenges are economic development, infrastructure building and corruption – problems that China has both the experience, knowledge and ability to help overcome.

Apart from shoring up China's sagging international image amid the smearing campaign of "China threat", it can gain access to Portuguese-speaking countries in South America, globalizing China's influence. As Macau (SAR) is historically and culturally affiliated with Portugal, China's efforts in reaching out to this remote part of the world will be amplified and appreciated.

Also, as East Timor is applying for membership to ASEAN, China can stretch out its hand to this "Asia's youngest country" by helping it to get ready for membership qualifications, furthering China's friendship with East Timor and the bloc.

Indonesia and Singapore are also actively doing their best to assist East Timor, doing so puts altruistic China and these two leading ASEAN countries into one work group, further strengthening Beijing's ties with the bloc, which constitutes China's backyard.

Finally, as East Timor is signing up for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), helping this youngest Asian country is a logical step to take.

The following excerpt will help our readers to better understand East Timor, which is struggling to survive in an American-led world that is busy engaging in a proxy war in Ukraine and is in no mood to help.

Gusmao was sworn in, and he promised to bring prosperity to the people and fight corruption…

Former East Timor Independence fighter Xanana Gusmao was sworn in on Saturday as prime minister of Asia's youngest country after his party won the parliamentary election in May.

Crowds cheered as the former guerrilla leader traveled by motor cade to the presidential palace in Dili, the capital, where he and his members of Cabinet were sworn into office by President Jose Ramos-Horta, his fellow independence fighter during Indonesia's occupation and a great friend of China.

The new government is a coalition between Gusmao's National Congress of the Reconstruction of East Timor, known as CNRT, and the Democratic Party.

Gusmao, 77, became the nation's first president between 2002 and 2007, and served as prime minister between 2007 and 2015.

In the May election, his party won 41% of the vote to capture 31 out of 65 seats in the National Parliament. That is just short of the 33 needed for an outright majority and Gusmao agreed to form a government with Democratic Party which won six seats.

The election result indicated deep dissatisfaction with the previous government, led by the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor.

Gusmao faces an uphill battle – in tackling economic challenges as nearly 32% of the country's estimated 1.5 million people live below the poverty line. The U.N. estimates for every 1,000 babies born in the country, 42 die before their fifth birthday because of malnutrition.

Gusmao vowed to reduce poverty through his government's strategic development plan – and reiterated the importance of national reconciliation and unity to achieve the development goals.

"I promise to carry out the tasks that the people have entrusted to me – and to bring prosperity to the Timorese people through government programs," Gusmao said at the swearing-in ceremony.

He pledged to provide opportunities for local governments to design their own development programs, including those to improve health services for mothers and children.

East Timor is among the world's most impoverished, and there's a lack of basic infrastructure…

Indonesia President Joko Widodo's envoy, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, was among those who attended the inauguration.

The country has a significant young population – 65% are below 30. It is also among the world's most impoverished. More than two decades after receiving formal independence in 2002, there is a lack of basic infrastructure including a reliable electricity supply and paved roads in rural areas.

"He has charisma and rich experience as a leader," a Dili resident, Joao Agustino Sarmento, said of Gusmao. "But we want to see him make more significant changes with his new government to overcome poverty and unemployment that still face our country."

East Timor's Road ahead has been rocky, with leaders battling massive poverty, unemployment and corruption. The economy is reliant on dwindling offshore oil revenues. (MDT/AP)

CONCLUSION

China's road to political stability and economic prosperity is a great success story, making it a leader of the third world countries of which East Timor is one.

Twenty years after its independence from Indonesia, however, the country is still struggling economically, and joining the ASEAN seems its best bet.

After decades of nation-building, the ten-member ASEAN countries have been making success, notably Indonesia and Singapore which are also currently trying to assist East Timor.

China too is helping some of the poor countries such as Laos and Cambodia and is making inroads.

Is there any valid reason why China should not give East Timor a helping hand? The country is in bad shape, but this is a time for China to build long-term friendship, as the proverb says, "You scratch my back; I scratch yours." And a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Gusmao, the incoming prime minister was the country's first president and PM. And he is a revolutionary hero and a great fellow fighter with the country's current president – who is a staunch China supporter. Thus politically, the time is right for China to help in many challenging ways.

The list of challenges is expected. But China can gain one more grateful member to its grand BRI strategic partnership.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

 

Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:

Opinion | The China 'threat' smear is easing, survey finds

Opinion | India's dilemma: To befriend the U.S. or mend fence with China