Li Peng, Brunei Sultan Discuss China-Brunei Relations

Li Peng Meets Sultan of Brunei

---

Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and China's top legislator Li Peng had in-depth talks Monday and the two leaders agreed to further expand cooperation between the two countries.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), arrived here earlier in the day for a three-day official goodwill visit, the second leg of his three Asia-nation tour. He already visited Cambodia and will start his trip to South Korea Wednesday.

During the talks, Li said that China-Brunei relations have developed very smoothly and friendly exchanges and cooperation have been expanded to all fields since the two countries established diplomatic relations 10 years ago.

"China attaches great importance to the development of its ties with Brunei. I hope my current visit could further strengthen the friendly cooperation, and deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries and two peoples," Li said.

He said that all countries, big or small, are equal in the international community and China would enhance its good- neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations with Brunei and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existance.

Li also promised to maintain high-level exchanges and expand economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Li spoke highly of the active role played by Brunei in the ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia- Europe Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Bolkiah said that Brunei also attaches great importance to the development of its relations with China.

In the new century, he said, the two countries should work together to consolidate the existing relations and make contributions to peace and development in East Asia and Southeast Asia.