China-Brunei Relations a Model of Equality and Mutual Benefit: Wang Yi

Dragon Media News Desk

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said relations between China and Brunei have become a model of how large and small countries can cooperate on the basis of equality, mutual respect and shared benefits.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Brunei’s Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen in Manila on Wednesday.

Wang conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and congratulated Prince Mateen on assuming the post of foreign minister.

He said friendly exchanges between China and Brunei date back more than 1,000 years and that bilateral relations have continued to strengthen under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ heads of state.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei. Wang said the two leaders reached important consensus last year on building a China-Brunei community with a shared future, opening a new chapter in bilateral ties.

He said the recent visit to China by Brunei’s Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah had further strengthened high-level political trust and practical cooperation.

Wang said China was ready to work with Brunei to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, make effective use of the China-Brunei Intergovernmental Joint Steering Committee and expand cooperation in the economy and trade.

He called for new projects in energy, artificial intelligence and other emerging sectors, as well as stronger cooperation in joint maritime development.

Practical cooperation should produce more tangible outcomes that directly benefit the peoples of both countries, Wang said.

Prince Mateen conveyed greetings from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to President Xi and said the friendship between Brunei and China was historic and profound.

He described China as Brunei’s most trustworthy friend and largest trade and investment partner, adding that Brunei attaches great importance to cooperation with China.

Prince Mateen reaffirmed Brunei’s firm adherence to the one-China policy and expressed readiness to further consolidate the strategic cooperative partnership with China.

He called for more high-level exchanges and dialogue, expanded trade and investment, and stronger cooperation in artificial intelligence, including the exchange of knowledge and technology.

Brunei also hopes to deepen cooperation with China in culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the strategic cooperative partnership and continuing efforts to build a China-Brunei community with a shared future.

The Manila meeting showed that China-Brunei relations, traditionally based on political trust and energy cooperation, are expanding into new areas including artificial intelligence, maritime development, investment and people-to-people exchanges.