From October 21 to 23, 2024 local time, at the invitation of the Brunei government, Vice President Han Zheng visited Brunei, during which he met with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam and Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in Bandar Seri Begawan, respectively.
When meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Han Zheng first conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Han Zheng said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, China-Brunei relations have maintained a good development momentum. President Xi Jinping met with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in San Francisco last November, providing strategic guidance for the further development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Brunei to follow through on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and take bilateral relations to a new level.
Han Zheng said China appreciates Brunei's consistent adherence to the one-China principle and is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with Brunei and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. The two sides should carry out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and upgrade cooperation in economy, trade, investment, energy, agriculture and other fields. China attaches great importance to East Asia cooperation, supports ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation, and is ready to promote the building of an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, injecting more positive energy into regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries, including Brunei, to actively advance maritime cooperation and consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, so as to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah asked Han Zheng to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Xi Jinping. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said that the important visions and initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, such as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, have far-reaching impact and have greatly benefited Brunei. The close high-level exchanges and extensive cooperation between the two countries have significantly enhanced the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries. Brunei always adheres to the one-China principle, is willing to continuously strengthen the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in such fields as economy, trade, energy, food, culture, education and sports, so as to promote the diversified development of Brunei's economy. Brunei highly values ASEAN-China cooperation and hopes to continuously improve cooperation mechanisms in various fields and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges. Brunei stands for resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and is willing to work with China and ASEAN countries to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace and friendship and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
When meeting with Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Han Zheng said that facing each other across the sea, China and Brunei enjoy a long history of friendship. Over the more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Brunei relations have maintained a positive momentum, setting a model of equality, harmonious coexistence, and mutual benefit among countries, regardless of size. The two sides should be guided by the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, and work towards the goal of building a China-Brunei community with a shared future together.
Han Zheng stated that this year marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei's independence. China supports Brunei in pursuing a development path that aligns with its national conditions and is ready to enhance high-level exchanges with Brunei, expand convergence of interests and create more growth areas for cooperation, jointly advance their respective modernization processes, elevate China-Brunei relations to new heights, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.
Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah said that China has made great achievements in its reform and opening-up, resulting in profound changes in its economy and society. Brunei attaches great importance to its relationship with China and is confident about China's development prospects. Brunei is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, including economy, trade, agriculture, energy, tourism, and culture, to promote further development of bilateral relations.
During his visit to Brunei, Han Zheng inspected the Muara Port and received a briefing on bilateral Belt and Road cooperation projects.