In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Brunei Darussalam, the China-ASEAN Research Institute of Guangxi University and Planning & Development Office of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) co-organised a Forum on Review and Prospect of Building China-Brunei Strategic Cooperative Partnership — From Perspectives of Education and Industry.
Over the past thirty years, bilateral relations have been developed rapidly under the guidance of and driven by the leaders of both countries. Therefore, by having this forum, it aimed at strengthening the collaboration further between China and Brunei, notable figures in academia as well as industry of the two countries shared their bilateral relationship from education and industry perspectives.
Attending the forum as the guests of honours were Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Dr. Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy; His Excellency Mr Wang Naixue, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangxi University; and Her Excellency Madam Yu Hong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam.
At the opening forum, the guests of honors delivered their remarks respectively followed by keynote speeches by Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB, and His Excellency Mr. Xu Bu, Dean, China Institute of International Affairs; Former Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to ASEAN.
The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy pointed out that Brunei and China had established a close partnership during these 30 years. “China continues to be one of Brunei’s top trading partners and largest investors, which has contributed to the country’s economic growth and diversification efforts. In 2020, China accounted for about 18% of Brunei Darussalam’s total trade,” he said. Cooperation in downstream industries, agriculture, finance sectors have achieved positive results. In the education field, a number of memorandums have been signed and several joint studies have been carried out. The joint training in the chemical industry which has made positive progress was highlighted. He mentioned that Brunei is looking forward to cooperation and exchanges in more fields with China.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Madam Yu Hong highlighted that this year marked the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 30th anniversary of China-Brunei Diplomatic Relations and the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, which meant special significance for both China and Brunei. “Over the past 30 years, we adhere to the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Both sides have witnessed frequent exchange of high-level visits and continuously deepened mutual political trust. The relation between China and Brunei has been upgraded to a strategic partnership of cooperation in 2018,” she said.
The Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangxi University stated that as an international gateway hub connecting with ASEAN, Guangxi plays a unique and important role in promoting Chinese-Brunei cooperation. He said that the signing of the MOU on Guangxi-Brunei Economic Corridor has brought comprehensive cooperation in agriculture, industry, logistics, halal food processing, and tourism etc. “After years of development, the Corridor has become a key project between the two countries,” he added.
Highlighting on UTB-People's Republic of China: Past, Present and Future Collaborations, Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah mentioned that UTB and the People's Republic of China had enjoyed a good relationship over the years through students and staff cultural exchange and industrial collaborations. The Vice-Chancellor also hoped that Brunei and China will continue to work together to further strengthen the synergy of respective national development strategies and support the sustainable development of both countries' economies and their diversification endeavors.
The event also saw the signing of the Academic Cooperative Agreement between the Civil Engineering and Architecture of Guangxi University, China and the Faculty of Engineering of UTB. The agreement will emphasise collaborations in several fields, including joint research, academic, participation in seminars/workshops, and exchange of students, faculty members, and staff.
The one-day forum featured three panel sessions, namely Section I: Review and Prospect of the 30th Anniversary of the Establishments of Diplomatic Relations Between P.R.China and Brunei Darussalam, Section II: Prospects and Opportunities for Education Cooperation Between P.R.China and Brunei Darussalam, and Section III: Prospects and Opportunities for Industrial Cooperation Between P.R.China and Brunei Darussalam.
The forum was held through an online platform and co-supported by the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam, Foreign Affairs Office of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam. Guangxi University of China, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, and China-ASEAN Collaborative Innovation Center for Regional Development Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry were the co-sponsors for the event.
