China and Brunei have pledged to elevate their bilateral relations to new heights following a high-level meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Bruneian Foreign Minister II Dato’ Erywan Pehin Yusof in Beijing on Tuesday.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized China’s readiness to collaborate closely with Brunei to establish a long-term vision of building a community with a shared future. He noted that both nations could promote their strategic partnership by deepening cooperation across various sectors.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei’s independence, and Wang Yi commended Brunei for adhering to a development path suited to its national conditions and for playing a unique and important role in regional affairs. He expressed China’s support for Brunei’s economic diversification efforts and highlighted the potential for cooperation in emerging areas, including education, cultural tourism, sports, and sister city partnerships.
Wang Yi also reaffirmed China’s support for the centrality and strategic independence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He expressed willingness to work with ASEAN countries to deepen political mutual trust, promote regional development, and maintain regional stability. Additionally, he stressed the importance of fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and striving for an early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the region.
Brunei’s Foreign Minister II, Dato’ Erywan Pehin Yusof, expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations between Brunei and China. He looked forward to maintaining high-level exchanges and strengthening cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, agriculture, education, artificial intelligence, and big data. Erywan affirmed Brunei’s confidence in China’s development, describing it as an unstoppable historical process that will drive the common development of countries in the region.
“Brunei is willing to work closely with China to safeguard regional peace and stability and promote common development and prosperity,” Erywan stated.
Reference(s):
China, Brunei pledge to boost cooperation as foreign ministers meet
cgtn.com
