| James Kon |
BRUNEI Darussalam is poised for further bolstering defence exchanges with the People’s Republic of China.
“The defence relations between Brunei and the People’s Republic of China are currently on a good state and the Sultanate is looking forward to increase defence interactions of mutual benefit which can further boost security cooperation between the two countries,” First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Deputy Minister of Defence, said on Thursday.
He was speaking during a courtesy call with Lieutenant General Bai Wenqi, Deputy Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater and Commander and Political Commissar of the Air Force, who is currently on a visit to the Sultanate, leading a goodwill visit of a Chinese PLA delegation.
Cooperation in the field of defence is seen as one of the important pillars of bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and China. This was cemented with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Military Exchanges on September 12, 2003, the deputy minister added.
“Activities symbolising the good state of defence and military ties include regular exchange of visits, meetings, courses as well as cooperation through various multi-lateral defence and security platforms,” he noted.
Brunei Darussalam and China marked their 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016.
Also present during the courtesy call was Captain (Rtd) Abdul Rahman bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence.
First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, the Deputy Minister of Defence in a handshake with Lieutenant General Bai Wenqi, the Deputy Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater and Commander and Political Commissar of the Air Force of the People’s Republic of China. – MINDEF
Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) with Lieutenant General Bai Wenqi, the Deputy Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater and Commander and Political Commissar of the Air Force. – MINDEF
Lieutenant General Bai Wenqi also paid a courtesy call to Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
During the call, the RBAF Commander welcomed Lieutenant General Bai Wenqi and his delegation to Brunei Darussalam and expressed his pleasure to see the military-to-military relation between the RBAF and the People’s Liberation Army continue to progress in many areas of cooperation.
He also expressed his interest in holding more defence interactions as well as strengthening cooperation between the two in the future.
During his visit, Lieutenant General Bai Wenqi also made a separate call to the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah.
The PLA delegation also watched the RBAirF static display at the Air Movement Centre.
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