China’s Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 and Brunei Vision 2035’s similar goals provide opportunities for the two countries to strengthen cooperation and develop together, said Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam Yu Hong in a message regarding a broad future cooperation between China and Brunei yesterday.
The message added, “Late last month, at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted Recommendations for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. The party plenum communique stated that the goal of building a moderately prosperous society will be achieved as scheduled. China will embark on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country next year.
“We share similar goals. China’s Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 focusses on promoting economic strength, scientific and technological strength and overall national strength. The construction of an innovative country, the building of a modern economic system, and the formation of a green production and lifestyle are pivotal in the long-range objectives, and bringing the economic aggregate and per capita income of urban and rural residents to a new level is the ultimate goal.
“Meanwhile, Brunei Vision 2035, includes objectives such as improving education standards, improving the quality of life making people’s living standards one of the top 10 in the world, improving economic level, developing an efficient and sustainable economy, and making per capita income one of the top 10 in the world.
“Our countries also share similar concepts of development. During the pandemic, both governments put the safety of people’s lives first and adopted strong measures at the earliest stage, bringing the outbreak under control and safeguarding people’s health and safety. Brunei’s economy has maintained positive growth, and China has overcome the huge impact of the epidemic to emerge as the first major economy in the world to achieve positive growth.
“During China’s 13th Five-Year Plan period, 55.75 million rural population were lifted out of poverty, basic medical insurance covers over 1.3 billion people, and basic endowment insurance system covers nearly one billion people.
“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’s Government has provided its people with high-level social welfare such as medical care, housing, education and pensions.
“Both countries emphasise green economy and sustainable development. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, while the Bruneian Government formulated its first National Climate Change Policy.
“China and Brunei firmly support multilateralism and free trade. Both countries are signatories of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, which is the world’s largest regional free trade agreement.
“The two countries also share convergence of interests, adhered to mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and treating each other equally. The two heads of states have reached important consensus on promoting the synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brunei Vision 2035.
“Against the backdrop of world economy falling into severe recession due to the pandemic, despite the fact that bilateral personnel exchanges have been throttled, the trade volume between the two countries has gained a year-on-year increase of 95.6 per cent in the first three quarters against all odds, ranking top in terms of growth rate of the bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN member countries.
“Hengyi Petrochemical, a pre-eminent cooperation project between China and Brunei, has started full operations, extending Brunei’s downstream oil and gas industry, joining the efforts of creating more local employment and driving economic growth, and contributing to Brunei’s economic diversification. The Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge, co-constructed by Chinese company CSCEC, has been put into use during the epidemic, providing strong support in the containing of the outbreak and facilitating people’s life.
“The two sides have also deepened cooperation in digital economy and healthcare. In the course of realising its Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, China will implement new concepts of development featuring innovation, coordination, green economy, openness and shared development.
“We will promote high-quality development, and accelerate the establishment of a dual-circulation development pattern in which domestic economic cycle plays a leading role while international economic cycle remains its extension and supplement. As China strives to expand domestic demand, we will pursue opening-up at a higher level. This will enable us to better match the two huge markets of China and ASEAN, contributing to regional economic recovery and sustainable development. ASEAN member countries will be the first to benefit from this development strategy.
“Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang attended a series of major international meetings on APEC and East Asia cooperation recently. Chinese leaders emphasised that China is willing to enhance cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries including ASEAN member countries and sustain the strong momentum of development in the region. Together, we can build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future featuring openness and inclusiveness, innovation-driven growth, greater connectivity, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
“China has always regarded ASEAN as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. China firmly supports ASEAN’s community-building as well as ASEAN’s efforts in strengthening its centrality in regional cooperation. China is ready to work with Brunei and other ASEAN member countries to cement good neighbourliness, to push for more concrete outcomes in various areas, to boost development on both sides and facilitate economic recovery within the region, and to safeguard regional and global peace and stability.
“Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Brunei diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership. China gives full support to Brunei’s chairmanship of ASEAN. I believe the development of our bilateral relations will further contribute to the achievement of China’s Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 and Brunei Vision 2035. I have full confidence in the future of the China-Brunei cooperation.”