Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam, June 5, 2002

1. At the invitation of H.E. Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, His Majesty Sultan Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yand Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam made a working visit to China from August 23 to 26, 1999. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations and on regional and international issues of common concern. The two sides agreed that the visit by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was a complete success and has further enhanced the friendly relations between the People's Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam.

2. The two sides were satisfied with the current exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural, educational and health fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 30 September 1991. Both sides agreed to further develop the relations of good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation based on mutual trust and support between the two countries baking into account the 1997 Joint Statement of the Meeting of the leaders of China and ASEAN countries.

3. The two sides reaffirmed the United Nations Charter, the principles enshrined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and other universally recognized principles of international law as the basic norms governing relations between the two countries. The two sides strongly believed that all countries are equal, irrespective of their size, and that they should have the right to choose their own social system and mode of development, based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.

4. The two sides agreed to maintain high-level contacts and continue to conduct exchanges between the government agencies of the two countries and between their officials at various levels. The two sides would maintain the mechanism for annual consultations between their respective Foreign Ministries, through which matters on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern can be discussed.

5. The two sides believed that economic cooperation and trade constituted an important part of the bilateral relations. The two governments would continue to facilitate and promote trade and investment between the two countries and encourage their business sector/enterprises to enhance cooperation in the area of tourism, petrochemical, agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing and other fields of interest on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. The two sides interest on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. The two sides expressed the hope that the Agreement Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments can be finalized at an early date.

6. Both sides acknowledged the potential for expanding the current level of bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to further promote the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, health and culture. In this regard, the two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation. The two sides also expressed interest in exploring possible bilateral cooperation in science and technology and defense.

7. The two sides were satisfied with the development of friendly relations between China and ASEAN member countries and believed that China-Brunei Darussalam cooperation has helped promote relations between China and ASEAN in all fields. They believed that further enhancement and development of such relations conform to the common interests of the countries concerned and were conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The two sides are ready to strengthen consultation and coordination at the United Nations, the ASEAN+3 Informal Meeting, ARF, ASEM, APEC and other multilateral forums.

8. The two sides were of the view that the present international situation was undergoing profound changes, with the development of multipolarization and economic globalization. Both sides agreed that these presented both challenges and opportunities and determined to strengthen their cooperation in this regard and work together for the maintenance of international peace, stability and prosperity.

9. The Brunei side, in line with its "one China policy", reaffirmed that it recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.

10. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam extended an invitation to President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China to pay a state visit to Brunei Darussalam. President Jiang Zemin has accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Original source: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t15796.htm