China， Brunei to Boost Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Beijing on Sept. 13.

“China appreciates Brunei’s efforts in strengthening China-ASEAN relations， and hopes to align the Belt and Road Initiative with ASEAN’s development plan，” Xi said.

Calling the two countries close neighbors across the sea， mutually reliable friends and partners， Xi said the two countries have established strategic cooperative ties， cemented political mutual trust and achieved fruitful cooperation over the years.

This year marks the start of the second 25 years of China-Brunei diplomatic relations. China-Brunei ties are at a key stage of development， Xi said， adding China is ready to share governance experience with Brunei， synergize development strategies and promote closer cooperation in various areas.

He called on both sides to maintain high-level exchanges， deepen political mutual trust and support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns.

Xi said he appreciates Brunei’s support for the Belt and Road Initiative. The two leaders agreed to boost closer cooperation in areas such as infrastructure， energy， halal food， agriculture， fisheries and the digital economy.

He asked the two countries to cement defense and law-enforcement cooperation， as well as exchanges in education， sports， public health， tourism， media and other areas.

The two countries should enhance cooperation in regional and international affairs， and coordination in frameworks such as the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation （APEC）， Xi said.

Regarding the situation in the South China Sea， Xi said it has stabilized and showed positive momentum. “China hopes to work with Brunei and parties concerned to make the South China Sea a sea of peace， friendship and cooperation，” Xi said.

The Sultan congratulated Xi on China’s achievements， and expressed support for the Belt and Road Initiative. He hailed the progress of China-Brunei ties since the forging of diplomatic relations， inviting more Chinese enterprises to invest in his country.

Brunei is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China， expand cultural exchanges， jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea and boost stronger ASEAN-China relations， the Sultan said.

The two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road Initiative， infrastructure and health.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with the Sultan.