Premier Li Keqiang and Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on July 19 exchanged congratulatory messages on the 30th anniversary of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) dialogue relations, as Brunei holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.

Premier Li said that over the past 30 years, China and ASEAN countries have stood together, rain or shine, and made significant contributions to the stable development and prosperity in various countries and the region, setting up an example for Asia-Pacific regional cooperation.

Since last year, China and ASEAN have worked together in combating the COVID-19 epidemic, demonstrating the spirit of a community of a shared future that countries help each other through thick and thin, Premier Li said.

Now as the China-ASEAN relationship enters a new phase of overall development, China is willing to work with ASEAN to promote the strategic partnership toward higher levels and build a closer community of a shared future, Premier Li said, while stressing joint efforts to deal with regional and global challenges in the future and benefit more than 2 billion people in the 11 countries.

Hassanal extended sincere congratulations on behalf of ASEAN on the 30th anniversary of the dialogue relations and the centenary of the Communist Party of China, adding that China-ASEAN relations have become one of the most strategic and comprehensive partnerships, with fruitful results over the past 30 years.

The two sides have worked together in fighting COVID-19 and deepened cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Hassanal said.

He expressed appreciation for China's firm support of ASEAN's central role and confidence that the China-ASEAN strategic partnership will create a better future for people of both sides.