On September 13, 2017, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. The two heads of state agreed to jointly well map out the future cooperation between the two countries and promote China-Brunei relations for greater development in the new era, so as to better benefit the two peoples.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Brunei are neighboring countries across the sea and friends and partners with mutual trust. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries has transcended the differences in national conditions and social systems, established strategic cooperative relations, constantly deepened political mutual trust and made prominent achievements from mutually beneficial cooperation. 2017 marks the start of the second 25 years of China-Brunei diplomatic relations with bilateral relations on a crucial stage inheriting the past and ushering in the future. China is ready to, together with Brunei, view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, enhance experience exchanges in state governance and administration, reinforce development strategy integration and make practical cooperation in various fields bigger and stronger, in a bid to further promote respective domestic development.
Xi Jinping stressed that both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, constantly deepen political mutual trust and continuously understand and support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns. China appreciates Brunei for actively responding to the Belt and Road Initiative and stands ready to make concerted efforts with Brunei, take the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" as an opportunity and follow the principle of wide consultation, joint construction and shared benefits to reinforce cooperation in infrastructure construction, energy, halal food, agriculture, fishery, digital economy and other fields. The two countries need to cement defense and law-enforcement cooperation to elevate mutual trust and cooperation between the two militaries to a new level. China and Brunei should enhance exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, sports, public health, tourism, media, local contacts and other areas and consolidate the public opinion foundation for bilateral friendship. Both sides should reinforce cooperation in regional and international affairs and intensify communication and coordination under such frameworks as the UN and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China appreciates Brunei for actively promoting the development of relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is ready to enhance integration between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of ASEAN, promote the improvement and upgrade of bilateral relations and boost the construction of ASEAN community. At present, the situation in the South China Sea is stabilizing and easing, displaying a positive development momentum. China stands ready to work together with all relevant parties to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed that Brunei congratulates China on the tremendous achievements scored in national construction, supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China and believes that the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will surely be realized. Brunei-China relations enjoy sound development momentum since the establishment of diplomatic relations with fruitful outcomes yielded from cooperation in various fields. Brunei will continuously adhere to the one-China policy. The Bruneian side is carrying forward "Wawasan 2035", and welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate in the process and actively invest and establish business in Brunei. Brunei is willing to cement practical cooperation with China in agriculture, fishery, energy, infrastructure construction, halal food, digital economy and other areas. The country is ready to, together with China, maintain high-level exchanges, further expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and push forward ASEAN-China relations for constant development.
After their talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering the "Belt and Road" construction, infrastructure construction, public health and other fields.
Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Premier Ma Kai, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Jiarui and others were present.