Chinese FM meets Brunei crown prince on ties

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met Brunei's Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah here Saturday to discuss further developing bilateral ties.

Yang said friendly and cooperative relations between China and Brunei had made remarkable progress, with expanding political mutual trust, fast-growing economic and trade cooperation and ever-deepening people exchanges.

China paid great attention to its good-neighborly relations and cooperation with Brunei, he said, adding China was willing to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with the Southeast Asian sultanate in all areas and enhance coordination on international and regional affairs.

The Chinese government highly appreciated Brunei's role in boosting relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and would like to deepen its strategic partnership with ASEAN based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, Yang said.

Billah welcomed Yang on behalf of Brunei's Sultan, who is attending a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation in Saudi Arabia.

Brunei highly valued its relations with China, Billah said, adding his country was willing to work with China to maintain high-level visits, deepen friendly cooperation and enhance communication and coordination on international and regional affairs.

Yang also met Brunei Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lim Jock Seng on Saturday.

During the talks, Yang said, in the current international situation, China and Brunei should strengthen coordination and cooperation to maintain the momentum of China-ASEAN relations and East Asia cooperation in a bid to make a greater contribution to regional peace, development and prosperity.

Lim Jock Seng said Brunei would take over as the ASEAN chair next year and would work with other parties to enhance coordination and push for steady and continuous development of East Asia cooperation.

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