The Chinese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam held a dinner reception to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) at Tarindak D’Polo in Jerudong on Thursday night.
The guest of honour was Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and spouse, Datin Hajah Kalshom binti Haji Suhaili. Also present was Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan.
On hand to welcome the guest of honour was the Ambassador of China to Brunei Darussalam Xiao Jianguo.
China Defence Attaché in Brunei Senior Colonel Dai Qilin reviewed the history of the CPLA since its founding and the contributions of the CPLA in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests.
China adheres to the path of peaceful development and pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defence policy that is defensive in nature.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei’s independence and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and both countries are committed to the modernisation and the realisation of a better life for their peoples,” he said
“Last November, President Xi Jinping and His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam held a successful meeting in San Francisco. China is willing to work with Brunei to follow the important consensus of the two Heads of State at last year’s meeting in San Francisco, carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen the strategic mutual trust, and promote the two countries’ strategic cooperative partnership into a new level,” he shared.
The Defence Attache then stated that China and Brunei will co-chair the ADMM-Plus Expert’s Working Group (EWG) on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) between 2024 and 2027. The Chinese side will host an EWG PKO meeting, and representatives and peacekeeping experts from the UN and ADMM-Plus countries will be invited to contribute their insights and views and share experience and approaches.
“The cooperation between China and Brunei in the field of peacekeeping not only reflects the strategic mutual trust, but also demonstrates the strategic orientation of both sides to jointly maintain regional peace,” he added.
The event continued with a cake-cutting ceremony and souvenir presentation by the Ambassador of China to Brunei Darussalam Xiao Jianguo to the guest of honour. – ADIB NOOR
