All-China Environment Federation and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to China Discuss New Paths to Ecological Cooperation and Sustainable Development

On November 5, 2025, the All-China Environment Federation (ACEF) and the Embassy of Timor-Leste in China jointly hosted a symposium in Beijing titled “Working Together  for a Green Future: Promoting China--Timor-Leste  Environmental Cooperation and Sustainable Development.” The meeting was chaired by Mr. Shi Xiang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Belt and Road Eco-Industry Cooperation Working Committee of ACEF.

Photo of the Meeting Venue

H.E. Mr. Loro Horta, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to China, attended the meeting along with Education Attaché Mr. Roger Chaves and Commercial Attaché Mr. Aires Guterres. Chinese participants included Mr. Tu Ruihe, Vice Chairman of ACEF; Mr. Yan Wukun, Director of the Department of Technical Standards; and representatives from Jiangsu Vision Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Henan Olten Environmental Sci-Tech Co., Ltd., Beijing SYS Science & Technology Co., Ltd., and Energy & Environmental Development International Consulting Co., Ltd.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Tu Ruihe, Vice Chairman of ACEF, extended a warm welcome to the delegation of the Timor-Leste Embassy and introduced the mission and purpose of the Federation. He emphasized ACEF’s long-term commitment to promoting global environmental governance and sustainable development, and its efforts in building bridges for international environmental cooperation. He noted that China’s philosophy and practices in building an ecological civilization have provided valuable experience for the world, particularly in green technology and ecological restoration.

Ecological Challenges and Cooperation Needs in Timor-Leste

Ambassador Horta highly praised China’s remarkable achievements in environmental protection, noting that the country has accomplished in four decades what took many Western nations nearly two centuries. He highlighted four major environmental challenges facing Timor-Leste:

(1) illegal fishing along its 873-kilometer coastline, including destructive blast fishing; 

(2) deforestation and soil erosion caused by traditional slash-and-burn farming; 

(3) the urgent need to treat domestic sewage discharged directly into the sea by over 300,000 residents in the capital; 

(4) pollution from open waste burning. The ambassador expressed Timor-Leste’s strong desire for international partnerships, particularly in wastewater treatment, waste-to-energy projects, and solar energy development.

China's Experience and Technological Solutions

In response, Mr. Tu outlined ACEF’s technical strengths, supported by more than 1,600 member organizations, and proposed four cooperation initiatives: 

(1) small-scale waste incineration facilities for waste reduction and regional heating;

(2) photovoltaic-agriculture integration to combine clean energy generation with agricultural production; 

(3) underground pipeline sewage treatment systems to improve efficiency and save land; 

(4) sharing China’s experience in ecological supervision for forest protection and fisheries management.

Mr. Yan Wukun added that ACEF has established a comprehensive technology reserve system covering all areas of environmental management, ensuring technical and quality support for cooperative projects with Timor-Leste.

Empowering Enterprises through Technology to Deepen Practical Cooperation and Partnership

Chinese enterprises presented mature technological solutions. Henan Olten Environmental Sci-Tech Co., Ltd. showcased biomass carbonization technology capable of achieving energy self-sufficiency and sequestering 6,450 tons of CO? per set annually. Jiangsu Vision Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. shared its experience from over 80 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment projects. Beijing SYS Science & Technology Co., Ltd. highlighted its 30 years of experience and over 6,000 projects worldwide, including the Dianchi Lake restoration. Beijing Nenghuan Technology Development Center discussed financing models to leverage international aid funds for ecological projects.

Ms. Celine Du, Deputy Director of the International Department of the Belt and Road Eco-Industry Cooperation Working Committee, introduced the “Belt and Road Green Brand Going Global Initiative,” aimed at promoting cooperation in clean energy, ecological restoration, and sustainable urban development. She invited the Ambassador and his team to participate in the upcoming ACEF Belt and Road Economic and Environmental Cooperation Forum.

Cooperation Outlook and Follow-up Arrangements

Ambassador Horta expressed appreciation for the Chinese side’s proposals and technologies, promising to report the meeting outcomes to the Timor-Leste government and advance follow-up cooperation.

Mr. Shi Xiang reaffirmed ACEF’s commitment to serving as a bridge for practical collaboration in solid waste management, water environment governance, and renewable energy development.

Vice Chairman Tu Ruihe presented a commemorative gift designed for COP30 to Ambassador Horta, symbolizing shared commitment to global climate governance.

This symposium deepened mutual understanding between China and Timor-Leste in the environmental field and injected new momentum into green cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, showcasing the bright prospects of South-South environmental collaboration.

Group Photo of the Guests