On the morning of November 20, local time, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived at Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan by special plane for an official visit to Brunei.

Wen said in a speech delivered upon arrival at the airport that Brunei is a friendly neighbor of China and the traditional friendship between both peoples has a long history. Bilateral ties between China and Brunei have achieved substantial development over the last two decades with frequent exchanges of high-level visits, close people-to-people exchanges, fruitful cooperation in all areas and coordination and cooperation on both international and regional issues. Deepening this friendly relationship in a changing and new context is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples and conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region, Wen said.

During his stay in Brunei, the Chinese premier will hold talks with Sultan Hassanal to exchange in-depth views on bilateral ties as well as other international and regional issues of common concern. He will also broadly engage with friendly personages from various walks of life. Premier Wen hoped that the visit will help to promote the traditional friendship between the two countries, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and push China-Brunei good-neighborly friendly cooperative relations to a new level.

Crown Prince Billah greeted Wen at the airport and held a grand welcoming ceremony for the Chinese premier.

Premier Wen arrived here for an official visit after attending a series of meetings for East Asian leaders in Bali, Indonesia. Upon leaving Indonesia, Wen was seen off at the airport by senior officials from the Indonesian government and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Zhang Qiyue.