China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei, on Wednesday evening, starting a three-day official good- will visit to the country.

China and Brunei enjoy traditional friendly relations, and the friendly exchanges between the two peoples date back to a long time, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in a written statement upon arrival.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 21 years ago, the two countries have developed increasingly political mutual trust and effective economic and trade cooperation, and also maintained good coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, he said. "China-Brunei friendship serves not only the fundamental interest of the two peoples, but also regional stability and development," Jia added.

He said he is scheduled to meet with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Speaker of the Parliament Awang Isa, and meet extensively with friendly personages from all sectors. "I hope that through this visit, we can further deepen our traditional friendship, enhance our mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote greater new development in China-Brunei relations of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation," Jia said.

Before he left Christchurch, the last stop of his New Zealand tour, Jia visited the Synlait Milk Ltd., a China-New Zealand joint venture. He also visited the Crowe's Pasture and talked with local diary farmers.

Brunei is the second leg of Jia's Asia-Pacific tour, which will also take him to Thailand.