Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, leader of the independence movements of East Timor and chairman of CNRT, arrived in Beijing January 24 morning for a four-day visit to China.

During the visit, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen will meet with Gusmao, and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will hold talks with him, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said at a press conference last week.

The two sides are expected to discuss the situation in East Timor and the future China-East Timor relations, he said.

China respects the choice of the people of East Timor, and believes that relevant issues should be properly solved under the framework of the United Nations, Zhu said, adding that an early restoration of stability in East Timor is in the interests of all the countries in the region, and China will continue to take a responsible attitude, and closely cooperate with relevant parties, so as to contribute to a stable transition in East Timor.