A quick look at China-Brunei ties

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‍Chinese President Xi Jinping will embark on a state visit to Brunei later on Sunday, the second leg of his mid-November tour, right after his visit to Papua New Guinea.

A signed article by the Chinese president titled "Jointly Write a New Chapter of China-Brunei Relations" was published on Saturday in four newspapers in Brunei ahead of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

In 1991, the two countries established diplomatic relations, then in 2013, China and Brunei took a step further and established a strategic cooperative relationship.

"China-Brunei relationship has been as good as ever, setting a good example of relations between countries of different sizes based on equality and mutual benefit for common development," President Xi wrote in the article.

President Xi welcomed the enhanced economic and trade cooperation between the two sides, citing examples like Hengyi petrochemical project and the Guangxi-Brunei Economic Corridor, two flagship projects being built in a joint collaboration between China and Brunei.

According to Yang Jian, China's ambassador to Brunei, Hengyi petrochemical is the biggest joint venture between the two nations. The project will bring remarkable economic and social benefits to the people of Brunei by generating more local jobs, Yang told Xinhua news agency.

Guangxi-Brunei Economic Corridor is also making great progress, promoting areas like harbor operation, sea farming, and spice processing and trade, said Yang.

China is currently Brunei's largest source of imports, and more and more Chinese enterprises are investing in Brunei.

The two friendly nations are involved not just at a macro level like bilateral business and trade, but also at a micro-level such as people-to-people exchanges.

In 2003, China allowed Brunei tourists a visa-free entry into its territory. Many Chinese cities are now connected to the Southeast Asian country via direct flights.

Last year, around 52,000 Chinese tourists visited Brunei, number one among all international visitors.

Calling Brunei to be one of China's "most important partners," President Xi vowed to develop an even stronger relationship.

He called on the two sides to enhance mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs.