State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Wednesday praised Brunei's "unique" role in boosting China-ASEAN ties, calling on both countries to make greater efforts to promote China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

 

Tang made the remarks in his meeting with Bruneian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mohamed Bolkiah, who is in Beijing on an official visit to China.

 

Tang told Mohamed that China is ready to promote even greater progress in advancing China-ASEAN strategic partnership on the basis of equality, mutual trust, cooperation and mutual benefit.

 

China will continue to step up China-Brunei ties and set it as an example for country-to-country relations, the state councilor said.

 

Mohamed said Brunei highly values its relations with China, and hopes to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, telecommunication, tourism and infrastructure.

 

He said Brunei will stick to the one-China policy.

 

Brunei is willing to make joint efforts with China to cement ASEAN-China strategic partnership, he said.

 

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2006)