| Hakim Hayat |
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 gave a warm welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday, where both leaders held bilateral talks aimed at further enhancing collaboration between the two nations.
President Xi is currently in Brunei on an official three-day State Visit, his first to the Sultanate.
Following an official welcoming and audience ceremony for the Chinese President, His Majesty in a titah during bilateral talks with President Xi said the visit gives both countries the opportunity to renew friendships and relations that can be traced as far back as the 15th Century, in trade, culture and people.
“The President’s visit is also a significant one in expanding and strengthening the historical ties underpinned by strong friendship, trust and goodwill towards one another,” His Majesty said.
President Xi in a speech later praised His Majesty for his leadership in making Brunei Darussalam a modern city, with a beautiful environment and high standard of living. Highlighting the friendship shared since first meeting His Majesty in Xiamen and when His Majesty was his first state guest in 2013, President Xi stated that their shared friendship will continue for generations to come.
During the bilateral meeting held at Baitul Mesyuarah of the royal palace, His Majesty and President Xi discussed bilateral relations between Brunei and China and exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual concern, such as trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries and connectivity.
Also present during the meeting was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were later signed between Brunei and China on the occasion of the Chinese President’s visit.
Both leaders witnessed a signing ceremony of MoUs on the Bilateral Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt; the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative between Brunei and China; and Establishing a Joint Steering Committee and Protocol to Extend the MoU between the Government of His Majesty, represented by the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Nanjing Municipal People’s Government, Jiangsu Province, of the People’s Republic of China.
Signing the MoU for Bilateral Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative between Brunei and China on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was 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 while signing on behalf of the Chinese Government was Minister of National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng.
The MoU between the Government of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Establishing a Joint Steering Committee was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof while signing on behalf of the People’s Republic of China was State Counsellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.
The Protocol to Extend the MoU between the Government of His Majesty represented by Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Nanjing Municipal People’s Government, Jiangsu Province, the People’s Republic of China was signed by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.
Signing the Protocol on behalf of the People’s Republic of China was member of the Standing Committee of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Party Secretary of CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee Zhang Jinghua.
Earlier, His Majesty personally welcomed the arrival of President Xi at the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman. Hundreds of schoolchildren lined the streets leading to the palace, waving the national flags of both Brunei and China to greet the visiting Chinese head of state.
Upon arrival at the Istana, both President Xi and His Majesty stepped onto a special dais to receive the salute of honour and the national anthems of both countries, as well as a 21-gun salute. Both leaders then inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
President Xi was later introduced to members of the royal family; state dignitaries; Cabinet Ministers; members of the Legislative Council; deputy ministers; the Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; and the Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
His Majesty was introduced to members of President Xi’s delegation, including Director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCCPC)Ding Xuexiang, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi, State Counsellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Minister of National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng, Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan, and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam Yang Jian.
An audience ceremony was later held at Cheradi Laila Kenchana of Istana Nurul Iman.
Present at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as other members of the royal family.
Also in attendance were Special Adviser to His Majesty and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Defence II as the Minister-in-Attendance Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, 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, Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, and Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Elinda binti Haji CA Mohammad.
Following the bilateral talks, His Majesty and President Xi proceeded to Baitur Rahmah to attend the state luncheon in honour of the Chinese President’s State Visit.
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1991, Brunei and China have seen deepening political mutual trust and enhanced cooperation in different areas.
The past few years in particular have witnessed rapid economic cooperation and trade between the two countries, with bilateral trade amounting to USD1 billion, making China one of Brunei’s largest trade partners.
Two flagship multi-billion dollar projects notably are currently being developed in a joint collaboration between the two nations: the Hengyi petrochemical plant project and the Guangxi-Brunei Economic Corridor, initiatives that are expected to bring about substantial economic growth and the creation of jobs for Brunei.