Premier stresses ties with ASEAN

China is ready to enhance cooperation with the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations by aligning the China-initiated Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN development strategy, as China-ASEAN ties are prioritized by China in developing relationships with neighboring countries, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li noted the idea when meeting with Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Beijing on Wednesday.

Li said that China appreciates Brunei's efforts in strengthening China-ASEAN relations, and will firmly support the construction of the ASEAN community, as 2018 will mark the 15th anniversary since China and ASEAN established their strategic partnership. China is also ready to work jointly to achieving even more and to bring peace and prosperity for regional countries as the leaders meet, this year, to enhance East Asia cooperation. He said China is willing to enhance political mutual trust with Brunei, and further cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, finance, technology, and other areas, while enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Hassanal said that Brunei appreciates China's priority for China-ASEAN relations, and is willing to further cooperate with China in a number of sectors, adding that China and Brunei are friends with mutual trust and respect.