Timor-Leste: Why China, Australia Are Angling for Influence in This Tiny Country | Taiwan Talks

Among the potential countries listed for a program to enhance U.S. force posture and infrastructure in countering China is the tiny country of Timor-Leste. Located between Indonesia and Australia, just 680km north of the Australian city of Darwin, Timor-Leste is the youngest country in Asia. Since it gained independence in 2002, both Australia and China have been actively positioning themselves for influence in the country. Can Timor-Leste remain independent when it comes to great power politics, or will it shift into either the U.S. or Chinese sphere of influence?
Our guests:
Wenchi Yu
Harvard Kennedy School Fellow and Host of Taiwanplus’s Zoom In Zoom Out
William Vocke
Fulbright Alumni Association Treasurer
Vincent Chao
Taipei City Councilor and former Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Washington Office Political Head

[@BoaventuraNesi]

As an I'm Timor Leste people 💯 Timor Leste situation it looks pretty exactly like a Solomon islands. why did I say that because if u come to my country you'll seen a lots of Chinese investments specially the marketing was dominated by Chinese people. I'm afraid that Timor Leste it's going to be like Africa and Solomon islands. i don't know what's going on to my country in 2025 2028😢

[@oemolokupano4512]

Very informative.

[@amorsemlimite4427]

If you visit Australia today, you will see many of Chinese business operate there and also many chinese visitors visit Australia every day.

[@svennielsen633]

Timor-Leste has the same population size as Estonia.

[@jdani109-zr6lr]

These people have no idea about australia and the pacific the host is more informed than these professionals.

[@kimchan382]

1. One Navybase in Timor = encircling Australia.
2. One Navybase in Jhabuti = encircling Israel.
3. One Factory in Mexico = encircling the USA.

[@jdani109-zr6lr]

😂It's right above Darwin which china has a port in its also where America has nuclear capable bombers at Tindal air base so I'm thinking it is about encircling Australia 😅😅

[@newhailman]

I do believe that Temor is historically part of China and must fall under the one China policy 😂

[@petermelville5524]

CCP wants to counter US-Australian dominance between the south second and third island chains, to enable their aim to totally control the space between the first island chain and the mainland. The Timorese should have chosen the Ausies as their allies, a big mistake.

[@jeromebesson]

Where’s Cleo Paskal, the go-to analyst on Oceania and the Indo-Pacific?

[@amarhadjimurad2363]

Australia supports Timor Leste's independence in the sideline of the fucking reason why many Indonesia hate Australia

[@redikaak9986]

Australia also supported Indonesia in annexing East Timor to prevent it from falling under communist influence during cold war

[@amorsemlimite4427]

Australia is helping Indonesian military in West Papua too

[@Yitnoyitno-wv6gb]

Nope America only ​@@amorsemlimite4427

[@melchorbaylon7862]

Same happening in PNG, China started to putting up many businesses!

[@mitotv6376]

Timor will be ASEAN member on 2025

[@Goldenplaybutton]

R u sure?

[@MALIANA-CANAL]

i love china❤ not love australia

[@florindopereirapereira1495]

Timor Will Asean member on 2025

[@Goldenplaybutton]

R u sure?

[@crisz6115]

Australia sucks all Timor's oil.