Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Wednesday concluded a three-day visit to Brunei, with the two countries pledging to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new high.
During the visit, Han held separate talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah and Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in the country's capital Bandar Seri Begawan.
While meeting with Hassanal, Han said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Brunei relations have maintained a good momentum of development.
China is willing to work with Brunei to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation so as to elevate their bilateral relations to a new high.
Han said China appreciates Brunei's consistent adherence to the one-China principle and stands ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with Brunei and support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns.
Both sides should carry out cooperation on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and upgrade their cooperation in economy and trade, investment, energy and agriculture, Han noted.
China attaches great importance to East Asia cooperation, supports ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) centrality, and is willing to promote the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, which will contribute to regional peace, stability, and development, said the Chinese vice president.
Han pointed out that China is also willing to work with ASEAN countries, including Brunei, to actively advance maritime cooperation and the negotiation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, with an aim to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. For his part, the Brunei Sultan reiterated that his country has always adhered to the one-China principle and is willing to continuously strengthen the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
He looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in economy and trade, energy, food, culture, education and sports, so as to advance the diversification of Brunei's economy.
Brunei places great importance on ASEAN-China cooperation and hopes to make joint efforts to address climate change, said the Sultan, adding that Brunei is willing to work with China and other ASEAN countries to strive to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation for the benefit of regional peace and stability.
While meeting with Billah, Han said China and Brunei, though separated by the sea, have enjoyed a long history of friendship.
Over more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Brunei have set a good example of countries, whether big or small, treating each other as equals, living alongside each other harmoniously, and seeking mutual benefit and win-win results, said Han. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei's independence, Han said, stressing that the Chinese side has always supported Brunei in following a development path that suits its own national conditions.
China is willing to work with Brunei to explore more points of converging interests and cooperation for growth, advance their respective modernization processes, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, the Chinese vice president added.
For his part, the Brunei Crown Prince expressed his confidence in China's development prospects, hailing China's great achievements in its reform and open-up.
He said Brunei is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China and to help promote further development of bilateral relations.
Han also visited the Muara Port and was briefed on the progress of Belt and Road cooperation projects between China and Brunei.
China, Brunei pledge to further enhance strategic cooperative partnership
