Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Xi hailed the healthy and rapid development of China-Brunei relations during the past 30 years, noting that their political mutual trust and cooperation in various fields have been deepening. China and Brunei have maintained close communication and collaboration in regional and international affairs and set an example of equal treatment and win-win relations between big and small countries, he said. 

Xi underscored the mutual assistance between the two countries in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, calling it a new chapter of friendship in the development of bilateral ties. 

The Chinese president said he stands ready to make joint efforts with Hassanal to strengthen strategic communication and deepen bilateral cooperation in fighting the pandemic and building the Belt and Road to bring greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples. 

Hassanal described China as an important cooperative partner, thanking the country for its support and help to Brunei in the fight against COVID-19. Brunei is willing to deepen its strategic cooperative partnership with China, he said. 

China and Brunei established diplomatic ties on September 30, 1991, and upgraded their relations to a strategic cooperative partnership during Xi's visit to Brunei in November 2018.