On March 22, 2002, President Jiang Zemin held a talk with Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei Darussalam in a cordial atmosphere at Zhongnanhai. Jiang extended a warm welcome to Billah and asked him to pass on his regards to the Brunei Sultan. Crown Billah expressed appreciation to President Jiang for his taking time from his tight working schedule meeting him. Billah also conveyed Brunei Sultan's sincere regards to President Jiang.

Jiang said that when he was invited to make a state visit to Brunei in 2000, he was deeply impressed with the warm reception by the royal family, the Brunei government and the Brunei people. Jiang said that China and Brunei have been good neighbours and have maintained contacts dating back to ancient times. To the satisfaction of the Chinese side, the relations between the two countries have enjoyed an overall development since the forge of the diplomatic relationship. China has consistently committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, advocating that every nation, large or small, should be respect each other mutually. On the part of China, maintaining good neighborly and friendly relations with Brunei is China's long-term foreign policy, and China is ready to make joint efforts with Brunei to push forward bilateral relations.

Jiang said that as old friends, he and His Majesty Brunei Sultan have met each other on many bilateral and international occassions and conducted good talks. The Sultan has dedicated enormous enthusiasm and made remarkable contribution to the development of the China- Brunei friendly relations. Jiang said that this is the first time for the Crown Prince to visit China, and he voiced his hope that Billah would follow the Sultan in enhancing Sino-Brunei ties, so that the friendly ties of the two countries could pass on from generation to generation.

Jiang also introduced to the guest the reform and opening up process as well as the economic development in China.

Billah said relations between Brunei and China have developed soundly and have cooperated well in various fields. Accoding to Billah, this time he chose China as the first non-ASEAN nation to visit, indicating Brunei's friendly wishes to China. He also said that Brunei is willing to continue strengthening the close cooperation with China and further push forward the bilateral ties.