In recent years, marked progress has been achieved in the development of relations between the two countries, Jiang said in his message to Brunei's Head of State Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Jiang said that he is glad to see that under the leadership of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei has gained national unity, social stability and economic development since its independence.

Brunei has become a "country of peace and prosperity", the Chinese leader said in the message.

At the turn of the century, the bilateral cooperation in political, economic and other fields is expanding all along, Jiang said.

"I am deeply convinced that, through our joint efforts, China and Brunei will see their good-neighborly relations of cooperation further consolidated and strengthened in the new century," he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan also sent a congratulatory message to his Brunei counterpart Pengiran Muda Mohamad Bolkiah on the same occasion.

Bilateral cooperation in politics, trade and economy, culture and tourism has been further strengthened after President Jiang's visit to Brunei last year, Tang said. He promised to continue to work closely and unremittingly with his Brunei counterpart to implement their joint communique on bilateral relations, which was signed last November.

(People’s Daily 02/23/2001)