| Hakim Hayat |
BRUNEI Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China yesterday pledged to further boost bilateral trade and investment and forge closer synergy in infrastructure cooperation to benefit the economies and people of both countries, following meetings between 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 and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
A joint statement released by the governments of Brunei Darussalam and China at the conclusion of bilateral talks and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing as part of the Chinese President’s State Visit yesterday highlighted both leaders’ commitment to enhance bilateral relations through cooperation and collaboration across several areas, in alignment with both countries’ respective national development strategies.
Some of the key highlights of the joint statement include Brunei’s commitment to continue to support and jointly promote cooperation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the two sides’ affirmation to work closely on the implementation of the MoU on Jointly Promoting Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative between the two governments and the newly signed cooperation plan.
China also relayed its further support to the sustainable development of Brunei’s economy and its diversification endeavours.
His Majesty and the Chinese President also agreed to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, work closely to implement the MoU on strengthening infrastructure cooperation, push forward the cooperation on the Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd refinery and petrochemical plant on Pulau Muara Besar in a safe and timely manner, further promote the ‘Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor’, and strengthen communication and technical cooperation in the fields of agriculture, Halal food and aquaculture.
In its efforts to build a strong and sustainable economy, Brunei also welcomes more foreign direct investment (FDI) interests from China.
Both sides encouraged more engagements among business communities of the two countries, utilising the existing platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the China-Asean Expo.
China also expressed its readiness to share its development experiences in emerging economic fields like digital economy and e-commerce with Brunei Darussalam.
Both sides also expressed satisfaction with the progress of cooperation in the energy sector, and agreed to continue supporting the enterprises of the two countries to cooperate in the areas of maritime oil and gas resources, in accordance with the principles of international law and following the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
In the area of security and defence, both sides have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the area and work closely to implement the MoU on Strengthening Defence Cooperation while also further agreeing to strengthen law enforcement cooperation and explore the possibility of establishing a bilateral extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance treaty.
On the South China Sea dispute, both sides welcomed the improving cooperation between Asean member states and China in the claims and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability and security, and the importance of continuing exercising self-restraint by all parties concerned and the promotion of mutual trust and confidence in the South China Sea.
Both parties underscored the importance of resolving territorial and jurisdictional disputes through peaceful dialogue and consultations by sovereign states directly concerned, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The joint statement added that both sides, together with other Asean member states, will work towards the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and encouraged further progress on negotiations towards the early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct on the basis of consensus.
Both Brunei and China also agreed to jointly uphold multilateralism and resist protectionism, uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied under the World Trade Organization, and promote an open, inclusive and balanced economic growth that benefits all.