The bilateral trade between Brunei Darussalam and China has reached a record high of USD3 billion, an increase of over 200 times compared with that of 1991, when bilateral ties were just established. In the first eight months of this year alone, bilateral trade volume reached USD1.71 billion.
This was highlighted by Ambassador of China to Brunei Darussalam Xiao Jianguo at a dinner reception marking the 74th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China yesterday at the Rizqun International Hotel.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah and spouse Pengiran Datin Hajah Noor Yashimah binti Pengiran Anak Haji Hashim attended the event.
He said, “This year marks the 32nd anniversary of China-Brunei diplomatic ties, the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries, and the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and with the strategic docking of BRI and Brunei Vision 2035, China-Brunei relations have enjoyed healthy and steady progress, with pragmatic cooperation flourishing and BRI projects yielding remarkable fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples.”
The Chinese ambassador added, “From Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd to Muara Port, from the Pulau Muara Besar Bridge to the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge, from Brunei’s USD500,000 donation to Wuhan to China’s donation of 152,000 doses of vaccines to Brunei, many visible and tangible benefits have been harvested for the good of the two nations and their people.”
With the relaxation of pandemic control from the beginning of the year, followed by the continuous resumption of direct flights, he said, “Bilateral exchanges and cooperations become more frequent and closer including in the fields of politics, economy, culture, education, defence, people-to-people and media.
“The China-Brunei strategic cooperative partnership has been continuously enriched with an even brighter future.”
China and Brunei, he noted, “Also maintain communication and coordination in regional and international affairs, making contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
“The trade between China and ASEAN went up by 16.8 times over the past two decades. Last year, the region accounted for 21.5 per cent of the world’s economic aggregate, up from 6.1 per cent in 2002.
“The two billion people’s living has improved tremendously. China-ASEAN relations have become the shining example of the most successful and robust one in the Asia-Pacific cooperation.”
A week ago, the 20th China-ASEAN Expo was held. The Chinese ambassador said, “Brunei signed a letter of intent to purchase over USD2 billion of Chinese mid-sized aircraft.
“It was the largest trade order ever at the expo, fully demonstrating the high level cooperation between China and Brunei as well as China and ASEAN. China will continue to implement the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in our relations with neighbouring countries, to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together with ASEAN, and jointly build a closer community with a shared future for China and ASEAN.”
The event saw Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew and Xiao Jianguo officiate the launch of the documentary Eternal Friendship.
The Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam initiated the documentary in 2019, with the technical support from Sesame World Technology (B) Sdn Bhd and Universiti Teknologi Brunei.
The documentary combines animation, interviews and field shooting, vividly reproducing the historical story of the visit by the King of Boni to China in 1408AD, demonstrating the long history of friendly exchanges between the two countries.
This was followed by the cutting of a cake to mark the 74th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the presentation of a souvenir to the guest of honour and spouse.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew received a special calligraphic art work with two Chinese characters personally written by the Chinese ambassador.
They read as ‘Guang-ming’, the Chinese pronunciation of Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew’s name.
He said in Chinese culture, ‘Guang-ming’ stands for light and bright, and further symbolises hope and justice. A person who is righteous and full of courage can be described as ‘Guang-ming’. By presenting the gift, it is hoped that the China-Brunei friendship and cooperation will embrace a brighter future.
The audience also enjoyed performances by students from Chinese schools. – James Kon
