1. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pays An Official Visit to China
At the invitation of Vice President Han Zheng, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam paid an official visit to China from May 11 to 15.
During the visit, President Xi Jinping met with His Royal Highness. Vice President Han Zheng held talks with His Royal Highness. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on further deepening friendly cooperation in various fields. His Royal Highness also met with Mr. Gao Zhidan, Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China and visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China. His Royal Highness then proceeded to visit Shenzhen, where he met with Mr. Jin Lei, Party Secretary of Shenzhen, and toured Leju Robotics and Huawei. Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, along with Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman, and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa 'Raihaanul Bolkiah, accompanied His Royal Highness during the visit and visited the Shenzhen Women and Children’s Centre.
2. First Meeting of His Majesty’s Birthday Celebration Committee Convened
On May 12, the First Meeting of the National Committee for His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 80th birthday celebration for the Year 2026 was held at the Prime Minister's Office.
The meeting was co-chaired by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs; Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Haji Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Awang Haji Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs; Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defence; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health; Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Doctor Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education; and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports as Co-Chairs of the National Committee.
The meeting outlined the events and dates in conjunction with the 80th birthday celebration of His Majesty, and discussed preparation for the celebration events. On May 13, the four Districts of Brunei respectively held meetings to discuss the preparations for celebratory activities in their areas.
3. Brunei's First Seed Mission to Space
On May 16, the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), in collaboration with the Singapore-based Space Faculty, successfully launched Brunei's first seed payload to the International Space Station. The success also marks a historic achievement for the country in the fields of space research and innovation. This batch of seeds will orbit in low-Earth orbit for six months, where the high-radiation environment of space will induce genetic mutations. After the seeds return to Earth, UBD will conduct screening and analysis to develop improved crop varieties with high yield and stress resistance.