Xi: China, Brunei to embrace stronger bilateral ties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for closer bilateral ties between China and Brunei as he met Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei’s head of state in Beijing.

The Sultan arrived in Beijing after spending time at the China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, south China earlier this week.

Brunei has sent a delegation of 119 companies to this year’s expo as it bids for more trade with China and other ASEAN countries.

During the meeting, Xi and the Sultan agreed to promote cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative, and work for stronger bilateral ties.

President Xi Jinping (R) and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah attend a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo

China and Brunei are close neighbors across the sea, and also mutual trusted friends and partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have built a strategic cooperative relationship, deepened political mutual trust beyond differences in national conditions and social systems, Xi said.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China is willing to hold bilateral ties with Brunei in a strategic and long-term perspective, to strengthen communications in governance experience and development strategy and to have stronger pragmatic cooperation in various fields, so as to further promote domestic development for both countries, Xi noted.

China and Brunei should keep high-level exchanges, and continue support each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. China appreciates Brunei's efforts in strengthening China-ASEAN relations, and hopes to align China's Belt and Road Initiative with ASEAN's development plan, Xi said.

The current situation in the South China Sea has shown a positive development. China is ready to work with Brunei and other relevant parties to maintain the peace in the South China Sea, Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah attend a signing ceremony following their bilateral meeting, as Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan and Brunei Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar shake hands, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The Sultan supported China's Belt and Road Initiative, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have enjoyed a good momentum and fruitful cooperation in various fields. Brunei will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, he added.

As Brunei is promoting the "Vision 2035," it welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate and invest in Brunei, the Sultan said. He added that Brunei is willing to cooperate with China to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and promote the continuous development of China-ASEAN relations.

Xi and the Sultan also attended a signing ceremony following their bilateral meeting.

In a separate meeting, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also met with the Sultan, praising Brunei’s constructive role in promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Brunei’s head of state Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on September 13, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Next year marks the 15th anniversary of establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. "China will continue to support ASEAN community building and its central role in regional cooperation," Li said.

Li also hoped that China’s Belt and Road Initiative would better dock with the development strategy of ASEAN. As leaders from two sides will hold another meeting later this year, Li hoped both sides will achieve more conducive results to benefit regional stability, cooperation and prosperity.

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