Visit expected to boost ties

President: China, Brunei trusted friends, have harmonious relations 

President Xi Jinping said on Sunday that he hopes that his state visit to Brunei will bring the bilateral relations to a new level and deliver more benefits to the people of both countries.

Xi made the remark in a written statement on his arrival at Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Bagawan.

China and Brunei are close neighbors facing each other across the sea, and they are also trusted friends and partners for each other, Xi said.

In the 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Brunei have treated each other as equals and have enjoyed a harmonious relationship in pursuit of common development, Xi said.

In a signed article published in Bruneian newspapers on Saturday, Xi said China will remain Brunei's sincere and good friend and a trusted partner for common development.

It is important that China and Brunei enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation to develop an even stronger relationship, Xi said.

"To take our relations to new heights, our two sides need to plan the development of China-Brunei relations from a long-term, strategic perspective, maintain high-level interactions and enhance political mutual trust," Xi said.

Xi made the visit at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam after attending the APEC leaders' informal meeting and making a state visit to Papua New Guinea.

He noted that as China is working for the "two centenary goals" of national development and Brunei is pursuing Wawasan 2035, the countries are both at crucial stages of development.

"Remaining firmly committed to the policy of openingup, China will promote substantive, results-oriented cooperation under the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) and deliver greater benefits to the people in BRI partner countries," he said.

The two sides need to deepen practical cooperation and build stronger synergy between national development strategies, Xi said.

China will continue to assist Brunei in economic diversification, ensure the success of key cooperation projects and explore with Brunei possible cooperation in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, fishery, e-commerce, maritime and other fields, he said, adding that China will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Brunei and will welcome more quality exports from Brunei.

Xi also called on the two countries to increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

"Our two sides need to expand cooperation and exchanges in culture, health, education, sports, tourism and human resources training. China supports the opening of more direct flights by our airliners and encourages more Chinese tourists to come here. In the same spirit, we also welcome more Bruneian friends to study, visit or work in China," he said.

The president also called for greater efforts to strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs with Brunei.

China will work with Brunei to deepen China-ASEAN cooperation in various areas and accelerate negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, so that the benefits of the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement can be delivered on the ground, Xi said.

"China will work with Brunei in safeguarding multilateralism, the international trading system, and the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, to make our contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in the region," he said.