BEIJING, Oct. 16 -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with Jose Ramos Horta, former president of Timor-Leste, on strengthening bilateral ties on Thursday.

Li said China and Timor-Leste have cooperated well and treated each other on an equal footing ever since the two forged diplomatic ties in 2002.

He called on both sides to work together to deepen friendship and expand cooperation, so as to promote the cooperative partnership featuring mutual trust and reciprocity that the two established in April this year.

Horta said he appreciated China's long-term support and assistance to the national independence and state construction of Timor-Leste. He said he is willing to work for the steady and healthy development of bilateral ties.

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was established on May 20, 2002. On the same day, China and Timor-Leste forged diplomatic ties. Horta, then foreign minister of the country, signed the communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties, together with China's then Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in Timor-Leste.