His Excellency Pehin Dato Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Haji Basir, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of China, Yang Mulia Dr. Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam, Ladies and gentlemen, good morning to everyone!

It is my great delight to attend the celebration of 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam and the closing ceremony of China-Brunei Year of Tourism 2020, co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei. H.E. Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, and H.E. Dato Ali Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei, have respectively made positive comments on the China-Brunei cultural and tourism cooperation. Today’s event will bring a successful conclusion to this year's series of celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the China-Brunei Year of Tourism 2020.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of our relations, both sides have organized a series of celebratory events all through the year. H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.M. the Sultan exchanged congratulatory messages on 30th September, charting out the course for the future development of bilateral relations. H.M. the Sultan attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and China-ASEAN Expo virtually. H.R.H. Princess Hajah Masna, the Friendship Ambassador of Chinese People and Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, attended and delivered warm remarks at the virtual reception in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei, and unveiled the commemorative envelop for the 30th anniversary together with me. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister H.E. Wang Yi visited Brunei, and jointly launched the celebration of the 30th anniversary China-Brunei diplomatic relations with Minister of Foreign Affairs II H.E. Dato Seri Setia Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN. China supports Brunei in its chairmanship of ASEAN and appreciates its efforts to promote China-ASEAN relations. H.E. President Xi Jinping and H. M. the Sultan co-chaired the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, at which both sides agreed to elevate the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. China-ASEAN relations have ushered in a brighter prospect.

Thanks to the joint efforts of China and Brunei, we have made various noteworthy achievements in bilateral relations. In the face of the pandemic, we have supported each other in solidarity. Since the onslaught of the pandemic, the support and sympathy from Bruneian royal family, government and all walks of life including the tourism industry has greatly boosted the confidence of the Chinese people in overcoming the difficulties. Meanwhile, the Chinese government, military and companies donated anti-epidemic materials to Brunei after the COVID-19 hit Brunei. This year, the Chinese government has donated two batches of COVID-19 vaccines to Brunei. Chinese company BGI responded swiftly to the request of the Bruneian government in setting up the first mobile inflatable Huo Yan lab in the Southeast Asia and offered technical assistance, greatly contributing to Brunei’s efforts in fighting the pandemic. From January to October this year, bilateral trade reached US$2.37 billion, another record high. China is Brunei's third largest trading partner and the biggest source of foreign direct investment. This year, both sides successively completed the  domestic ratification procedures for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), making a positive contribution to promoting its timely entry into force and the establishment of the world's largest free trade area. Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with Brunei in promoting the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthening the strategic synergy between China's Long-Range Objectives through the Year 2035 and Brunei's Wawasan 2035, making new contributions to the continuous development of bilateral relations and the regional peace, stability and prosperity.

As a Malay proverb goes, "Far away in the sky but close to the heart" (Jauh di Mata, Dekat di Hati). Although the pandemic has hindered us from celebrating face-to-face, it cannot stop the kind wishes of both peoples to deepen mutual understanding. Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists were fond of Brunei's clear sky and beautiful sea, while Bruneian tourists were fascinated by China's historical sites and natural scenery. Both tourism industries took the brunt of the pandemic, to embark on a "spontaneous trip" to each other’s country like before has become virtually impossible for most tourists. Last year, with the support of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Chinese Embassy held the first China Day event in Brunei, which was warmly welcomed by the Bruneian public as it provided a window for the Bruneian people to learn about China. We firmly believe that the world will eventually enter a new normal and international travel will resume. Let us look forward to a new spring for China's and Brunei's tourism industry which will make new contributions to the post-pandemic recovery of our two countries.

To conclude, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Brunei, I express my sincere thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei for their unremitting efforts to promote cultural and tourism cooperation between our two countries, and to the tourism industries of both countries for their contribution to strengthen communication and exchanges between our two peoples.

Thank you all.

Source:

by Embassy of the People's Republic of China

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