Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday exchanged congratulatory messages with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between their two countries.

In his message, Hu said China and Brunei enjoyed a long-lasting friendship and that bilateral relations had witnessed substantial progress, with enhanced mutual trust and deepening pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

China had been actively engaged in close coordination and cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asian nations in regional and international affairs, he said.

China-Brunei relations have set a great model for equality, mutual benefit and harmonious co-existence, he said.

This year marks the China-Brunei Friendship Year and the two sides had successfully held a series of celebrations, writing a new chapter in China-Brunei cooperation, he said.

China stood ready to work with Brunei to strengthen the traditional friendship and advance mutually beneficial cooperation in a bid to promote bilateral relations to a higher level and make a greater contribution to regional peace, stability and development, he said.

The Sultan of Brunei said close links between Brunei and China had been enriched by the development of their partnership and the friendship of the two peoples.

The two sides had benefited a lot from extensive cooperation, he said.

Brunei is willing to make joint efforts with China to boost the prosperity and progress of the two nations and the region, the Sultan said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Brunei counterpart Prince Mohamed Bolkiah also exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday to mark the occasion.