Brunei-China Ties On New High
By Shareen Han

Bandar Seri Begawan - Economic relations between Brunei and China reached new heights, with two-way trade volume last year reaching US$315 million, a staggering 20.7 per cent hike from 2007.

China's exports to Brunei include chemical products, daily commodities, machinery, transport equipment and food, while Brunei's main export to China is still oil, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

Based' on the joint communique between China and Brunei, in 2004, both countries agreed to strengthen economic relations and expand trade and two-way investments, so that trade volume can reach the US$1 billion mark..

Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Brunei,' Her Excellency Yang Yanyi, expressed that Chinese and Brunei enterprises and -companies pursue to further expand t heir presence in each other's country.

Speaking at her residence yesterday, she explained that bilateral relations are entering a "new and dynamic phase".

Some 40,000 Chinese tourists visited Brunei in 2005, making them one of the largest inbound tourism markets of Brunei.

"Tourism remains one of the priority areas of development for Brunei to have a more competitive and sustainable economy," she went on to say.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade signed a pact with his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhao Xing, to promote tourism cooperation in September last year.

She hoped the expansion of tourism activities would make a substantial increase of bilateral air connectivity.

"Participation by Brunei's SMEs in the third China-Asean Expo in Nanning has also played a valuable role in showcasing the competitive edge and potential of Brunei to the Chinese people and the region," she added.

Her Excellency pointed out that Brunei's market is becoming more attracted to China made automobiles and Chinese coastal provinces such as Guangxi and Yunnan are developing closer ties with Brunei.

"Cultural shows by the Zun Yi Acrobatic Troupe, Dance Academy of Beijing, and Cultural Troupe of Guangxi were warmly greeted by the people in Brunei."

"The Brunei-China Friendship Association established in early , 2005 has been instrumental in developing mutually beneficial cooperation especially in areas such as economy, trade, culture and education," she went on to say. Her Excellency's two year tenure as Chinese Ambassador to Brunei has seen His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attending the 10 + 1 Commemorative Summit in China in October last year and Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to Brunei in April 2005.

More activities are scheduled this year, including the visit of a Chinese-Muslim delegation from Guangdong province in March and the inaugural China Education Exhibition in April.

She highlighted the pace of cooperation needs to be further accelerated in the field of energy, ICT, agriculture, infrastructure and other mutual investments.

"There will be a stronger push in economic cooperation, which is the bedrock of our relationship," she said. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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