Chinese Government provides RMB 20 million grant for Diplomatic Learning Center Construction Project

Project narrative

On December 6, 2010, China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Government of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a grant agreement worth $3,303,860.80 (RMB 20 million) for the Diplomatic Learning Center Construction Project. The purpose of the project was to construct a 2488 square meter building that would serve as a high-level training academy for Timor’s diplomats. The project involved the construction of a training center in the capital city of Dili with a consul and protocol department, dining hall, warehouse, garage, and parking shed. China IPPR International Engineering Corporation and China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Corporation (SIETC) were the contractors responsible for project design and implementation. A construction contract was issued in December 2010. Construction commenced on May 18, 2012 and was completed on July 31, 2013. The project was officially completed and handed over to the local authorities on December 19, 2013. Chinese Ambassador Tian Guangfeng and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Constancio Pinto attended the ceremony on behalf of their respective governments. According to the Government of Timor-Leste’s Aid Transparency Portal (ATP), the Chinese Government ultimately disbursed $1,684,960.52 of grant funding for the project. The ATP Project Identification Number is 87292534322.