Jose Ramos Horta: Timor Leste president open to joining Chinese military drills

The president of Timor Leste has said his country would be willing to join Chinese-led military exercises in the latest signpost of the growing great power competition on Australia's doorstep. President Jose Ramos Horta told Timorese broadcaster RTTL that participation would be on the condition the drills were not aimed at "any perceived hostile entity," reported the ABC. But his statement will likely raise alarm bells in Canberra which has been closely tracking its near neighbour's tightening relationship with Beijing, particularly since China and Timor Leste adopted a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023. The president said his country had already…