Bruneian and Thai media have hailed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to their countries, saying it promoted common prosperity and development.

Li's Brunei trip will enhance bilateral ties and the closer friendship between the countries will contribute to regional peace and stability, Brunei's Borneo Bulletin said.

"Brunei and China will be looking to extend their maritime and energy cooperation to the next level following the signing of two related documents during a bilateral meeting between the leaders," Brunei Times reported.

It said both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing energy cooperation between the two countries and, in particular, between Petroleum Brunei and China National Offshore Oil Cooperation.

Thailand's Chinese-language newspaper Asia News Time said that Li's visit to Thailand will upgrade bilateral cooperation on diplomacy and business, and is conducive to promoting tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

It said that the proposals made by Li during his speech are beneficial for both countries. Thailand's English-language newspaper The Nation elaborated on the achievements of Li's visit, including the announcement that China is ready to hold talks with Thailand over visa exemptions for regular passport holders.

"The visa waiver would boost tourism between the two countries. Chinese tourists to Thailand could increase to up to 5 million this year," the report quoted Li as saying.

"To enhance people-to-people ties and tourism, China would consider a Thai proposal to waive visas for Thais visiting China," The Nation quoted Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as saying.

(China Daily USA 10/14/2013 page4)