China pledges deeper ties with Brunei ahead of 35th anniversary

China is committed to maintaining high-level exchanges with Brunei, enhancing strategic communication, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthening multilateral collaboration, as next year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during his meeting with Foreign Minister II of Brunei Dato' Erywan Pehin Yusof, in Beijing on Thursday.

During the talks, Wang reiterated China's principled stance on the Taiwan question and emphasized the serious harm caused by the erroneous remarks made by Japan's incumbent prime minister on Taiwan.

He commended Brunei for adhering to the one-China principle and expressed confidence that Brunei would continue to firmly support China's just cause in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Together, both sides could safeguard the post-war international order and uphold human conscience and justice, he added.

Next year also marks the fifth anniversary of the establishement of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China is willing to continue mutual support and trust with the ASEAN, aligning development strategies, creating cooperation highlights, adhering to open regionalism, and promoting genuine multilateralism, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with the ASEAN to resist unilateral bullying and the Cold War mentality, jointly serving as important forces for regional prosperityand stability, he added.

Erywan told Wang that Brunei attaches great importance to developing its relationship with China, and emphasized that China remains the most important force in promoting regional unity and stability.

He pledged that the country will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy, supporting China's cause of reunification.

Brunei is also committed to using the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to strengthen political trust, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and deepen cooperation in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and fisheries, thereby pushing bilateral relations to new heights.

He also expressed the country's willingness to closely cooperate with China within the framework of ASEAN-China relations and promote the further development of the partnership.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Both sides agreed to work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and accelerate the consultation for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

They also agreed that the international community should work towards a truly comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in the Palestine-Israel issue, uphold the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine" and support the two-state solution, avoiding double standards and promoting long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.