Brunei’s Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof met with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the series of foreign ministers’ meetings on East Asia cooperation in Phnom Penh on August 5.
Wang Yi said that facing each other across the sea, China and Brunei have enjoyed a long-standing friendship stretching for 1,000 years.
“Despite differences in national conditions and systems, the two countries have always respected, understood and cared for each other, and bilateral relations have maintained the momentum of stable development.
“The two sides should continue to adhere to the friendly policy toward each other, carry forward the tradition of mutual support, and promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relations,” he said.
He added, “China supports Brunei in maintaining social stability, promoting economic development and improving people’s livelihood, and in playing an important role in international and regional affairs.
“China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Brunei and contribute to Brunei’s endeavour to enhance its capacity for independent development and achieve diversified development.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan said, “Brunei values its relations with China, and is ready to deepen practical cooperation between the two countries and carry forward the thousand-year friendship.
“Brunei adheres to the One-China principle, which is also the broad consensus among ASEAN member countries. ASEAN foreign ministers have issued a joint statement to clearly reaffirm the One-China principle.”
The two sides exchanged views on maritime issues and agreed to speed up consultations on the code of conduct in the South China Sea.
Wang Yi said that strength has never been China’s diplomatic style, and the country is ready to continue consultations with the Sultanate on an equal footing to handle maritime issues for mutual benefit and win-win results.
