On the afternoon of March 21, 2002, Vice-President Hu Jintao met with Brunei Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah China at the Great Hall of the People.

Extending welcome to Billah's first visit to China, Hu said that as neignbouring countries acrossing South China Sea, the peoples of China and Brunei have enjoyed friendship in a long course with distant source. Bilateral relations have developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 11 years ago. High-level exchanges between leaders of the two countries have greatly increased. The two sides have effective cooperation in various fields and good coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs. Hu called China-Brunei relations a good example of cooperation between countries with different social systems on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

Hu said that China-Brunei relations developed to the current stage with the concerted efforts of the leaders, the governments and the peoples of the two countries, especially the important role Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the royal family have played, to which China expressed great appreciation. The Chinese side will continue its efforts strengthening the exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries and push forward the bilateral friendly relations to make benefits for the two countries and their peoples.

Billah expressed his pleasure of meeting with Vice-President Hu Jintao and his thanks to the warm welcome the Chinese side has offered. He said that Brunei Sultan attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations. Sultan visited China four times, and was deeply impressed with China's rapid economic development each time. Billah passed on Sultan's regards to Hu and Hu also asked Billah to convey his greetings to Sultan.