Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Oct. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng Wednesday concluded a three-day visit to Brunei, with China and Brunei pledging to strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new high.

During the visit, Han held separate talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah and Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Brunei relations have maintained a good momentum of development, Han said, adding that China is willing to work with Brunei to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, and raise their bilateral relations to a new level.

Han said China appreciates Brunei's consistent adherence to the One-China principle and stands ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with Brunei and to support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns.

Both sides should carry out cooperation on high-quality Belt and Road construction and upgrade their cooperation in trade, investment, energy and agriculture, Han noted.

China attaches great importance to East Asia cooperation, supports ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) centrality, and is willing to promote a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, which will contribute to regional peace, stability, and development, said the Chinese vice president.

Han pointed out that China is also willing to work with ASEAN countries, including Brunei, to actively advance maritime cooperation and the negotiation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, with an aim to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

For his part, the Brunei Sultan reiterated that his country has always adhered to the One-China principle and is willing to continuously strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

He looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in economy and trade, energy, food, culture, education and sports, so as to advance the diversification of Brunei's economy.

Brunei places great importance on ASEAN-China cooperation and hopes to make joint efforts to address climate change, said the Sultan, adding that Brunei is willing to work with China and other ASEAN countries to strive to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation for the benefit of regional peace and stability.

During his visit to Brunei, Han also held talks with Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

China and Brunei, though separated by the sea, have enjoyed a long history of friendship, Han said. "Over more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Brunei have set a good example of countries, whether big or small, treating each other as equals, living alongside each other harmoniously, and seeking mutual benefit and win-win results."

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei's independence, Han said, noting that the Chinese side has always supported Brunei in following a development path that suits its national conditions.

China is willing to work with Brunei to explore more points of converging interests and cooperation for growth, advance their respective modernization processes, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, Han added.

For his part, the Brunei Crown Prince expressed his confidence in China's development prospects, hailing China's great achievements in its reform and open-up.

He said Brunei is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China and to help promote further development of bilateral relations.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Brunei's Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Oct. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)