China, Brunei ties

(fmprc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2005-04-19 14:43

I. Political Relations and Important Visits

On September 30, 1991, China and Brunei established diplomatic relations. Since then, their relations have developed smoothly and friendly contacts and cooperation gradually started in various areas. There is exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries. Vice-Premier cum Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, State Councilor Luo Gan and Vice-Chairman of the Standing committee of the NPC Xie Fei visited Brunei respectively in July 1992, January 1995 and June 1998. In November 2000, President Jiang Zemin went to Brunei to attend the informal summit of the APEC leaders and for the first time paid a state visit to the country. In May 2001, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Li Peng paid an official visit to Brunei and in November the same year, Premier Zhu Rongji attended the (10+ 3 and 10+ 1) meetings between the leaders of the ASEAN countries, China, Japan and ROK in Brunei.

In November 1993, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanae Bolkiah' paid a state visit to China, and paid a working visit to China in August 1999. In May and October 2001, he came to China again to attend the APEC summit on ability-building of human resources and the informal meeting of the APEC leaders respectively. In June 1993, Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah paid an official visit to China, came to China again in May 2001 to attend the 4th Asian-European Foreign Minister's meeting, and visited China. Princess Masna Ambassador-at-large of Brunei's foreign ministry visited China three times in 1994, 1997 and 2001 respectively.

In 2002 alone, Brunei's Crown Prince Billah paid his first official visit to China in March, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Hussain and maj. General Mohd. Jaafar Commander of the Royal Armed Forces visited China respectively in April and June. On the other hand, foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan went to Brunei to attend such meetings as ASEAN Regional Forum and met Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed in July the same year. In December, Procurator-General of China's Supreme People's Procuratorate Han Shubing visited Brunei.

In 1993, a system for regular consultations was set up between the ministries of the two countries. Since then 10 rounds of consultation have been held.

II. Economic and Trade Relations

Over the recent years, Sino-Bruneian trade has remarkably increased. It exceeded US$ 0.1 billion for the first time in 2001, and reached US$ 0.165 billion, up 122.4% from 2000. In 2002, this bilateral trade volume totaled US$ 0.263 billion, up 58.9% from 2001, of which China's exports amounted to US$ 21 million, and its imports US$ billion, up 22.7% and 63.1% respectively. Crude oil is China's major imports from Brunei.

By the end of 2002, China had had one investment project in Brunei, with its contractual sum reaching US$ 0.90 million, and US$ 0.50 of this sum from the Chinese side. Brunei had 67 investment projects in China, with their contractual sum reaching US$ 0.11 billion and actual investment US$ 17 million. In November 2000, the Chinese and Burundian Governments signed the Agreement on Investment Mutual Encouragement and Mutual Protection, and China International Petroleum and Chemical Industries Joint Company and Brunei's Shell Petroleum Company signed Long-Term Contract on Champion Crude Oil.

III. Exchanges and Cooperation in Other Fields

China and Brunei have gradually developed exchanges and cooperation in the cultural, health, sport and educational fields. The Air Transport Agreement, Memorandums of Understanding on Health Cooperation, Cultural Cooperation and Implementation Concerning Chinese Tourists Going to Brunei with Their Own Expenses were signed respectively in 1993, 1996, 1999 and 2002. The Agreement on Cooperation between the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China and Procuratorate-General of Brunei was signed in 2002. In January 2002, Brunei Airlines opened its Brunei-Shanghai flight.

IV. During Brunei Sudan's working visit to China in August 1999, the Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and Negara Brunei Darussalam was issued by both sides in Beijing.