1. Speaking of the Olympic Games, we learned that China has done a lot of work related to the Olympics. Could you be more specific?

Just as you mentioned, after being awarded the privilege to host the 2008 Olympic Games, China has done a lot of preparatory work. China has been committed to hosting a high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features, in order to realize the concept of "New Beijing, Great Olympics" and to leave a unique legacy to China and the Olympic movement. The Games will be a perfect occasion to unroll China's 5,000-year history and its resplendent culture. The Games will also fully express the common aspiration of the Chinese people to seek peace, development and progress together with the peoples around the world. The fact will be highlighted that the 1.3 billion Chinese people of 56 ethnic groups, along with 50 million overseas Chinese, are all enthusiastic participants in the Olympic movement.

A high-level Games means a lot and requires even more. It means high-level sporting infrastructure and competition organization; high-level opening ceremony and cultural events; high-level media services and security work; high-level urban civility and friendliness, etc. For the past few years, the Chinese government has spared no efforts in achieving this end and fulfilling its commitment. You must have seen the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube and other architectural miracles. You must have known that nearly 100 Heads of State or Government and Royal Family Members will attend the Opening Ceremony. About 12,000 athletes from 205 countries will compete in the Beijing Olympics. Over 26,000 journalists will gather in Beijing and cover the grand event. The Olympic Village and International Media Centre, which are both the largest in the Olympic history, have been put into operation. Now Beijing is well ready and opening arms wide to greet all the friends from around the world.

2. The Beijing Olympic Games provides the humankind with a good opportunity for better communication. In your perspective, Excellency, how important is this kind of communication? And what is the most effective way to communicate?

I agree with you that the Games indeed provides us with a good opportunity for better communication. I remember an American scholar once said, the Olympics has been purely Occidental and deeply rooted in the Occidental civilization. Therefore, it is of epoch-making significance that the Games will be held in an Oriental nation that boasts brilliant non-Occidental civilization. Being such a convergence of these two great civilizations, the Beijing Games has built a bridge for friendship and mutual understanding.

Regarding the most effective way of communication, I prefer mutual respect and mutual benefit. The Olympicism requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. If we want to make friends, the most important thing, I think, is to show respect to the would-be friends. Arrogance and prejudice lead to hostility rather than friendship. So we should not adopt a holier-than-thou attitude or impose our own opinions upon others. On the contrary, we should respect the values cherished by others and strive for win-win results. Only by so doing can we achieve true friendship and solidarity.

3. Your Excellency, how would you describe the present state of bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and China? And how do you predict the possible exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries as well as the future development of China-Brunei relations?

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1991, China-Brunei relations have witnessed sound and smooth development. Especially during the recent years, our bilateral relations have achieved fast growth and positive progress. The political mutual trust has been deepened through frequent exchange of high-level visits. The bilateral trade volume between our two countries reached US$ 355 million last year, scoring a new record high. The exchanges and cooperation have also been expanded in the fields of defense, education, culture, media and people to people contact.

The year of 2008 bears great importance to China-Brunei relations. At the very beginning of this year, the two most important Ministers of China, i.e. General Cao Gangchuan, China's Minister of National Defense and H.E. Mr. Yang Jiechi, China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid successful visits to Brunei Darussalam, serving as a good sign for our bilateral relations this year. In a few days, His Majesty will be leaving for China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. This October, His Majesty will once again visit China and attend the 7^th Asia-Europe Summit. Moreover, this year marks the 600^th anniversary of visit to China by Boni (Brunei) Maharaja Karna, who visited China in 1408, got diseased, passed away and was buried in China. Currently, the Chinese Embassy and the Brunei-China Friendship Association are co-organizing the "China-Brunei Friendly Relations Knowledge Contest" to commemorate the 600^th anniversary of Maharaja Karna's visit. Other commemorative activities may also involve the visit to China by some royal family members of Brunei Darussalam.

China always regards Brunei as an intimate neighbor and trustworthy friend. The Chinese government has attached great importance to and made considerable efforts in the development of China-Brunei relations. In the years to come, we hope that China and Brunei will strengthen the joint efforts to develop the all-round friendship and cooperation and elevate our bilateral relations to a new height.

4. In your point of view, how do you find Brunei Darussalam under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam?

    Under the benevolent and brilliant leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, Brunei Darussalam is a kingdom of unexpected treasures and the green heart of Borneo enjoying stability, prosperity and harmony. More personally, I regard His Majesty as a great statesman, the soul of the nation, the loving father of his own children and meanwhile an active aviator and sportsman.

Since last month, Brunei Darussalam has been celebrating the royal birthday of His Majesty. The whole nation has been immersed in an ocean of joy and happiness. Here I would like to express again my congratulations to His Majesty and his rakyat, and say to His Majesty "Selamat Hari Jadi"!

Let us pray together for Brunei Darussalam enjoying eternal peace and prosperity under the benevolent and brilliant leadership of His Majesty! Let us pray together for the perpetuation of China-Brunei friendship!