On April 21, 2016 local time, when holding a press conference before wrapping up his visit to Brunei, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that a stronger China will only bring more opportunities and bonus instead of challenges and threats to the neighboring small and medium-sized counties.
Wang Yi expressed that this year, marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei, is an important year of inheriting the past and opening up the future. Under the joint efforts of the two countries, China-Brunei relations have set a good example for relations between big and small countries featuring mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results. Both sides maintain close high-level exchanges, constantly enhance political mutual trust, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and continue expanding bilateral practical cooperation in economy and trade. Against the backdrop of global economic recession, China's investment in Brunei grew by about 50 percent last year and the amount of contract projects increased by 50 times, showing huge potential and space for practical cooperation between China and Brunei.
Wang Yi pointed out that the sound development of China-Brunei relations manifest that a stronger China will only bring more opportunities and bonus to the neighboring small and medium-sized countries instead of threats and challenges.
Wang Yi expressed that China understands and supports Brunei to promote economic diversification strategy, and stands ready to offer assistance in this regard. China is also willing to offer positive assistance for Brunei to play a key role in the development of East ASEAN Growth Area. China stands ready to consult with Brunei on the signing of the inter-governmental cooperation documents that dovetail the Belt and Road initiative and the "Wawasan 2035" of Brunei at an early date, promote the start up on the construction of Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor to yield results as soon as possible, and bring tangible benefits to the two peoples. China will encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Brunei and participate in Brunei's infrastructure construction. China is also willing to deepen cooperation with Brunei in the field of energy, help Brunei establish a petrochemical industry with integrated upstream, midstream and downstream, and improve Brunei's self-development capability. China stands ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with Brunei in a wide range of fields including agriculture, fishery, medical and health care, education, culture, youth affairs and sports. Brunei has unique natural and people-to-people and cultural resources. China is willing to see more Chinese tourists travel to Brunei and make friends with Brunei's people, consolidating the friendship foundation between both peoples. China welcomes the Bruneian government's preparation for the implementation of visa upon arrival policy for Chinese tourists.