Senior Chinese official Wu Guanzheng (L) meets with Brunei's acting Sultan Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah in Seri Begawan, May 2, 2007. Wu flew here Tuesday for a stopover after a three-nation Latin American tour. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    SERI BEGAWAN, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official Wu Guanzheng met here Wednesday with Brunei's acting Sultan Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah on promotion of bilateral cooperation.

    At the beginning of their meeting, Wu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), asked Billah to convey the best regards from Chinese President Hu Jintao to Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

    Wu, who flew here Tuesday for a stopover after a three-nation Latin American tour, said bilateral contact and exchanges date back to some 1,000 years ago.

    Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1991, Wu said, China and Brunei have maintained close high-level exchanges, with political mutual trust growing steadily and the two countries enjoying good coordination in regional and international affairs.

    Wu expressed China's appreciation for Brunei's firm adherence to its one-China policy and voiced the hope that both sides would strive to maintain the good momentum for further developing ties and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation.

    China is willing to further promote the development of the peace and prosperity-oriented strategic partnership between China and ASEAN countries, including Brunei, he said.

    Billah, who is also the country's crown prince, asked Wu to convey best wishes from Sultan Bolkiah and himself to President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders, saying that the Brunei side is satisfied with the development of bilateral relations.

    The prince expressed the hope that the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields would continue to develop.

    He said Brunei and China can draw on experience from each other and cooperate with each other in many fields.

    During the meeting, Wu also briefed Billah on China's efforts to build a harmonious society and push for establishing a harmonious world.

    Before his arrival here, Wu had visited Cuba, Colombia and Chile.