China is ready to follow the principle of treating each other as friends and partners in promoting political trust with Brunei, said Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing Tuesday.

Hu told visiting Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah that the people of China and Brunei have enjoyed a long-term friendship, and that the bilateral relationship has fully developed since the forging of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1991.

The two sides respect each other politically, and expand cooperation with regard to economy and trade, and on crude oil trade and infrastructure in particular, he acknowledged. The two countries have also maintained consultations in such international and regional organizations as the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, ten plus three and ten plus one.

Hu expressed his appreciation for Brunei's adherence to one-China policy.

He cited Sino-Brunei relationship as a fine example of equality between nations, big or small, and of reciprocal cooperation for the countries with difference social systems. China will provide still more favorable conditions for expanding its trade cooperation and investment with Brunei, Hu added.

He said the Chinese side will encourage Chinese companies to participate in the exploration of Brunei's oil resources and infrastructure development, and China also welcomes the Brunei entrepreneurs to make investment.

Hu pledged to comprehensively advance the exchanges between the two countries at all levels and in all fields to inherit and carry forward their friendship and to safeguard regional peace and prosperity.

Hassanal said Brunei and China have maintained a good momentum on the development of bilateral ties, and have achieved good results on economic and trade cooperation. He said he would sign a series of agreements with China during his current visit. And he expressed the belief that these agreements would further increase the bilateral cooperation in relevant spheres.

Hassanal said Brunei recognizes China's market economy status, and he reaffirmed that Brunei will adhere to one-China policy.

Hu and Hassanal also had an exchange of views on the relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They agreed to promote the strategic partnership oriented to peace and prosperity between China and the ASEAN, and to push forward the process of China-ASEAN free trade zone.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2004)