The joint efforts made by China and Brunei in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the friendship between neighbors, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday, calling for further promotion of the ties for new progress.

Wang made the remarks when speaking to Haji Erywan, Brunei's second minister of foreign affairs.

Over the past 30 years, the relationship between the two countries has achieved long-term development, and has set a model for countries who respect each other, co-exist peacefully and benefit each other, Wang elaborated.

Speaking on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Chinese diplomat said he hopes to see Brunei continue to play a constructive role as the rotating chair of ASEAN.

Calling China Brunei's "good friend and true friend," Erywan first thanked China for the support it has provided during the pandemic. 

He vowed to strengthen mutual trust with China and make more contributions to regional peace and development.

(Cover: Locals display Chinese paper cutting during the opening ceremony of the China Day cultural carnival in Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei, December 26, 2020. /Xinhua)