Wang Yi calls for deepening China-Brunei mutually beneficial cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday said China is ready to work with Brunei to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen multilateral collaboration to further promote the building of a China-Brunei community with a shared future.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei's second minister of foreign affairs, in Beijing.

Noting that next year marks the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said China regards ASEAN as its closest cooperation partner and is ready to continue providing mutual support and trust with ASEAN, align development strategies, create cooperation highlights, uphold open regionalism, pursue true multilateralism, and resist any form of unilateral bullying and Cold War mentality.

The Chinese foreign minister also elaborated on China's principled position on the Taiwan question, and on the grave harm of the erroneous statements made by Japan's current leader regarding Taiwan.

He commended Brunei for upholding the one-China principle firmly over the years and expressed his hope and belief that Brunei will fully understand China's position and will continue to be a strong supporter of the Chinese people's just cause in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wang also called on the two sides to work together to defend the post-war international order, as well as human conscience and justice.

Erywan said Brunei is willing to take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, enhance political mutual trust, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, deepen cooperation in fields such as manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries, and promote greater development of Brunei-China relations.

Noting that the current international situation is fraught with uncertainty, he called on regional countries to strengthen cooperation to jointly resist unilateralism and neocolonialism, adding that China has always been the most important force in promoting regional unity and stability.

Saying that China and ASEAN are natural cooperation partners, Erywan called on the two countries to maintain close cooperation within the framework of ASEAN-China relations, advance their comprehensive strategic partnership, and bring benefits to the people of all countries in the region.

Brunei fully supports China in successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting next year and looks forward to China exerting greater influence and leadership in international and regional affairs, he added.

Both sides agreed to work together to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Both sides held that the international community should strive for a genuine, comprehensive and durable ceasefire on the Israel-Palestine issue, implement the principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine," adhere unswervingly to the general direction of the two-state solution, avoid double standards, and promote the long-term peace and stability of the Middle East.

(With input from Xinhua)