Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has arrived in Brunei for a state visit. This follows his trip to Bali for the East Asia Summit.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) attends the welcoming ceremony held by Brunei's Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport in Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei, Nov. 20, 2011. Wen Jiabao arrived at Brunei for a formal visit on Sunday. [Xinhua]

In a speech delivered upon arrival at the airport, Premier Wen said bilateral ties between China and Brunei have achieved profound development over the last two decades.

He says the two countries have conducted frequent exchanges of both high-level and civil visits, fruitful cooperation in every sector and in international and regional issues. He then visited the Brunei University, where he spoke to students and teachers.

He says deepening ties in a changing and new context is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

During his visit, Wen Jiabao will hold talks with Brunei's leaders to exchange views on how to further bilateral relations. The two sides are expected to sign agreements covering energy and health cooperation. This is the first time a Chinese Premier has visited Brunei since the two countries established diplomatic relations 20 years ago.