China hopes to expand ties with trustworthy Brunei

China regards Brunei as a trustworthy partner and hopes to expand bilateral cooperation during the process of jointly constructing the Belt and Road Initiative, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Lim Jock Seng, Minister at Bruneian Prime Minister's Office and Minister (II) of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in Beijing on Friday.

Lim is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The forum will be held on Sunday and Monday.

Wang said China highly values its ties of strategic cooperation with Brunei, and regards Brunei as a trustworthy, sincere friend and partner, adding that China hopes the two countries will become better partners for each other.

China is willing to work with ASEAN countries including Brunei to maintain peace and stability on the South China Sea, and hopes Brunei will go on playing a positive role in the development of China-ASEAN ties, Wang said.

Lim said the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, proposed and hosted by China, is of historic significance and global influence, and expressed his wishes for a successful forum.

Investment by Chinese companies in Brunei has been increasing rapidly, and the bilateral cooperation are going smoothly, said Lim.

Lim said he hopes the two countries will enhance pragmatic cooperation, in fields such as trade and investment, under the framework of the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and that Brunei is willing to go on playing a positive role in properly dealing with the South China Sea issue.