BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang on Sept 25 extended congratulations to Mari Alkatiri on his election as Timor-Leste’s prime minister.

In his congratulatory message, Premier Li said China and Timor-Leste are friendly neighbors and have established a comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring good neighborly relations, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

Over the past few years, the two countries have continuously enhanced political mutual trust, carried out all-round pragmatic cooperation, and expanded people-to-people and cultural exchanges, he said, saying bilateral relations are showing a good momentum with steady and fast development.

The Premier said he is willing to establish a sound working relationship and personal friendship with Alkatiri to jointly advance the China-Timor-Leste relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Alkatiri, born in 1949, served as Timor-Leste’s prime minister from 2002 to 2006. He has been re-elected for the 2017-2021 tenure.