Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi Saturday met, on separate occasions, with Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah and Brunei Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Pengiran Muda Mohamed Bolkiah.

The two sides expressed willingness to work together to promotetheir friendly cooperative relationship as good neighbors.

Wu said that China and Brunei have been friendly neighbors since ancient times and bilateral relations have been developing smoothly since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

The two countries have trusted each other politically, scored remarkable achievements in their cooperation in such areas as trade, tourism and culture, and kept good coordination and collaboration in regional and international affairs, she said, adding that the relationship between the two countries can be regarded as a successful example between a big country and a smallone.

Wu spoke highly of the contributions made by Brunei Sultan HajiHassanal Bolkiah and other Brunei royal family members to promoting bilateral ties and Brunei's "one China" policy.

Wu said that, in order to fulfill the consensus on deepening cooperation reached by leaders of the two countries earlier this year and further enhance bilateral ties, the two sides should takethe opportunity of marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties to expand their bilateral trade and investment. They should also explore their cooperation in petroleum and natural gas development, infrastructure constructionand tourism, and intensify exchanges in culture, education and health, she added.

Muhtadee Billah said that Brunei cherishes its traditional friendship with China and is committed to developing a friendly relationship with China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, they have made frequent exchanges at various levels andentered increasing cooperation in trade, education, culture and tourism, he said.

Brunei is willing to consolidate and deepen the good-neighborly relations between the two countries, expand cooperation in various fields and further push ahead the friendly relations between the two countries.

On another occasion, Brunei Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Mohamed Bolkiah said he agreed with Wu's assessment of the bilateral ties and her proposals on strengthening economic and trade cooperation, reiterating Brunei's position in upholding "oneChina" policy and supporting China's reunification.

He also said that Brunei is willing to further expand economic and trade cooperation with China, including boosting bilateral trade value to 1 billion US dollars by 2010.

Wu arrived here Friday on an official visit to Brunei and is scheduled to leave for home Sunday. She is on a three-nation trip,which has already taken her to Singapore and Thailand.

Source: Xinhua