Chinese President Jiang Zemin met Saturday morning with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, who is here to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting.

Bolkiah said that this is his second visit to Shanghai and he feels at home.

The Chinese government and people have made excellent arrangements for this year's APEC meetings, he said, expressing the belief that the gathering will definitely be a success.

Bolkiah spoke highly of the smooth development of relations between Brunei and China.

Jiang said he is satisfied with the expanding cooperation in all fields between the two countries and appreciates Bolkiah's contribution to enhancing bilateral relations.

He congratulated Bolkiah on the honorary doctorate in international relations the Beijing Foreign Studies University awarded to him before their meeting.

Jiang said he is confident that new progresses will be made in China-Brunei relations.

China and Brunei have worked together very well in dealing with APEC affairs, Jiang said, citing the APEC High Level Meeting on Human Capacity Building jointly hosted by the two countries in Beijing in May.

By hosting that meeting, Jiang said, the two countries have contributed to pushing forward the APEC process.

Jiang thanked Brunei for supporting China's preparations for this year's APEC meetings and expressed hope that the meetings will make even more contributions to the APEC process.

The two leaders also exchanged views on global issues of common concern.

Bolkiah expressed gratitude for the honorary doctorate and said he is willing to further contribute to enhancing bilateral ties and educational exchanges between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency 10/20/2001)