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 on Thursday attended a Meeting with Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang in Beijing.
His Majesty in a titah during the meeting stated that Brunei Darussalam values its relationship with China and steadfastly supports the One China Policy, and further emphasised that China remains a key partner and Brunei Darussalam appreciates the robust friendship built over the years.
In addition, His Majesty said that Brunei has benefitted from the people-to-people connections and exchanges of best practices in various cooperative areas. In this regard, His Majesty expressed pleasure that during the visit, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic ties by signing agreements that will broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, on regional matters, His Majesty emphasised enhancing stronger regional partnerships with China, adding that the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations have become one of ASEAN’s most comprehensive partnerships over the years. To this end, His Majesty expressed appreciation for China’s unwavering support, particularly under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2021.
Furthermore, His Majesty expressed the view that China’s ongoing efforts to bolster cooperation including under the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, have significantly brought our people and region closer.
Brunei Darussalam also looks forward to the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur, which aims to foster sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity across the region. His Majesty also welcomed more opportunities to strengthen the goodwill and friendship between the two nations and people.
The Meeting, among other things, highlighted the progress of bilateral relations, in which His Majesty shared that since 2018, the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Brunei Darussalam and China has made significant strides in trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries, and people-to-people exchanges.
Moreover, both sides have deepened economic ties through collaborative petrochemical projects with Hengyi and the development of the Muara Container Terminal in partnership with Beibu Gulf.
On energy cooperation, His Majesty further shared that the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Hengyi project has been a landmark achievement for Brunei Darussalam’s downstream oil and gas sector. Encouraged by this success, Brunei Darussalam is eager to move forward with Phase 2, which aims to double the country’s petrochemical export value. Brunei Darussalam, added His Majesty, is also grateful for the scholarships and training provided to the people of Brunei Darussalam, which have significantly enhanced local expertise and capabilities.
His Majesty further added that Brunei Darussalam is encouraged by the progress of Chinese foreign direct investments in the country and is open to further investments that aid the country’s diversification efforts. His Majesty also expressed the view that the collaboration between Brunei Darussalam and China on various projects has yielded substantial economic benefits for both nations. In this regard, His Majesty expressed readiness to develop Brunei Darussalam’s capacity in agriculture and fisheries through capacity-building programmes, to expand exports to China.
China’s expertise in hybrid rice production, including through the establishment of the Hybrid Rice Research Centre in Brunei Darussalam, which is crucial to Brunei Darussalam’s national goal of achieving self-sufficiency, was also valued by His Majesty.
Furthermore, His Majesty emphasised that China’s continued support of the Brunei- Guangxi Economic Corridor and the Muara Container Terminal will transform Brunei Darussalam into a regional hub that will serve as a gateway for China to ASEAN, the BIMP-EAGA, and beyond.
His Majesty further expressed the view that establishing visa waiver arrangements between Brunei Darussalam and China has simplified travel for people of both countries, further boosting tourism and strengthening bonds.
Both sides have also achieved much together, and in this regard, His Majesty expressed confidence that the collaboration between the two countries will continue to flourish under the agreements signed during the visit.
The importance of regional platforms, particularly under the ASEAN-China Relations and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, was also underscored by His Majesty, in addressing the challenges of an evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. To this end, His Majesty valued China’s steadfast commitment to the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and expressed pleasure in His Excellency Li Qiang’s participation in the ASEAN meetings.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reinforces the close partnership and mutual commitment of ASEAN and China, taking cooperation as well as mutual trust and respect to greater heights. In addition, Brunei is also keen on deeper engagements in trade, energy and digitalisation, which are essential in ensuring sustainability in the future.
His Majesty looked forward to China’s support in establishing the ASEAN Climate Change Centre in Brunei Darussalam, adding that this initiative will bolster national and regional efforts to combat climate change and further enhance China’s global leadership.
Lastly, His Majesty commended China for its mediating role and efforts in humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, particularly in delivering relief items. Brunei Darussalam remains committed to supporting ASEAN’s efforts to find lasting solutions in Myanmar, which is Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned through the Five-Point Consensus.
His Majesty also extended an invitation for His Excellency Li Qiang to visit Brunei
Darussalam. Earlier in the titah, His Majesty also expressed deepest condolences and sympathies to the families affected by the earthquake in Xizang in January 2025.
After concluding the State Visit in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, His Majesty left for Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China to attend the 9th Asian Winter Games that will be held on 7th February 2025.
Accompanying His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Prior to departure, Doa Selamat was recited by the State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr. Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
Present at Beijing Capital International Airport to bid farewell was Director-General,
Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms Yu Hong.
Upon arrival at Harbin Taiping International Airport, His Majesty was welcomed by Chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr. Lan Shaomin, and Deputy Director General, Heilongjiang Provincial Foreign Affairs Office Ms. Liu Yan.
