(Bandar Seri Begawan, 26th)—Tong Xiaoling, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, stated in her speech at the celebration of the 35th anniversary of China-Brunei diplomatic relations that it was deeply meaningful to join guests from all walks of life in reviewing the achievements of the 35 years of friendly exchanges between China and Brunei and in looking forward to the broad prospects for future cooperation.
Tong Xiaoling expressed her pleasure in gathering with guests from all circles to jointly celebrate the 35th anniversary of China-Brunei diplomatic relations. She recalled her own experience of bidding farewell to people from all sectors in Brunei 16 years ago after completing her diplomatic mission there, and said that now meeting both old and new friends from Brunei once again, she was filled with emotion.
She pointed out that 35 years is the prime of life for an individual; for the relations between two countries, it is a golden period with solid roots and flourishing branches. The relationship between China and Brunei has spanned the years and is moving toward an even brighter future. The many stories of friendship between the two nations symbolize the infinite possibilities for bilateral relations.
Tong Xiaoling noted that China and Brunei have continued to deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and trade. She pointed out that Bruneian agricultural and aquatic products have entered the Chinese market, with Brunei's cantaloupes and freshwater prawns being particularly popular with Chinese consumers, and that technical consultations on the access of agricultural products between the two countries are steadily progressing.
She said that through tariff concessions, mutual recognition of standards, and measures to facilitate trade, Brunei’s specialty and high value-added products will be able to enter Chinese and regional markets more rapidly. In the future, more Bruneian aquatic products, honey, and tropical fruits will enter the Chinese market, while Chinese cuisine will further make its way into Bruneian homes, becoming a true reflection of the two peoples being 'as close as one family.'
On the subject of future cooperation, Tong Xiaoling emphasized that Brunei’s "Vision 2035" and China’s "15th Five-Year Plan" are highly aligned, as both sides are committed to promoting high-quality economic development.
She stated that the Protocol on Upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to Version 3.0, officially signed last October, not only injects new momentum into building an open world economy, but also provides an important platform for aligning China’s "15th Five-Year Plan" with Brunei’s "Vision 2035."
She pointed out that for the first time, the Version 3.0 Free Trade Area includes emerging fields such as the digital economy, green development, and supply chain connectivity, which will create more opportunities for Bruneian SMEs to access the Chinese market, promote smart logistics at ports, and encourage young entrepreneurs to participate in China’s digital economic development.
Tong Xiaoling stated that technological innovation requires open cooperation and mutual benefit. China’s experience and strengths in new energy, digital infrastructure, and smart city construction will provide technology and funding to support Brunei’s digital transformation and low-carbon development.
She also mentioned that not long ago, an embodied intelligent robot from China performed alongside students and teachers of the Sultan Foundation School to celebrate Hari Raya, presenting a spectacular integration of technology and art to all sectors of Brunei.
She expressed her belief that the two countries will continue to rely on high-quality joint development of the "Belt and Road Initiative" and Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, further strengthening technological empowerment, deepening the alignment of development strategies, and jointly building an even closer China-Brunei community with a shared future.
Tong Xiaoling also shared the story of an old Chinese-Bruneian expatriate. When he was young, his first trip to China required a week-long journey by slow boat; now, his grandson can leave Bandar Seri Begawan in the morning and arrive in Beijing by afternoon to study.
She said that although the physical distance between the two countries continues to shrink, the deep friendship between their peoples has never changed.
She quoted President Xi Jinping’s frequent use of the old Chinese proverb, “Relatives wish each other well, and so do neighbors,” expressing that China is willing to forever be Brunei’s "good neighbor, good friend, and good partner."
She also quoted the Bruneian proverb, "Bagai Dakwat dengan Kertas (like ink and paper)," to describe the inseparable and mutually beneficial friendship between the two countries.
She pointed out that 35 years is the prime of life for an individual; for the relations between two countries, it is a golden period with solid roots and flourishing branches. The relationship between China and Brunei has spanned the years and is moving toward an even brighter future. The many stories of friendship between the two nations symbolize the infinite possibilities for bilateral relations.
Tong Xiaoling noted that China and Brunei have continued to deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and trade. She pointed out that Bruneian agricultural and aquatic products have entered the Chinese market, with Brunei's cantaloupes and freshwater prawns being particularly popular with Chinese consumers, and that technical consultations on the access of agricultural products between the two countries are steadily progressing.
She said that through tariff concessions, mutual recognition of standards, and measures to facilitate trade, Brunei’s specialty and high value-added products will be able to enter Chinese and regional markets more rapidly. In the future, more Bruneian aquatic products, honey, and tropical fruits will enter the Chinese market, while Chinese cuisine will further make its way into Bruneian homes, becoming a true reflection of the two peoples being 'as close as one family.'
On the subject of future cooperation, Tong Xiaoling emphasized that Brunei’s "Vision 2035" and China’s "15th Five-Year Plan" are highly aligned, as both sides are committed to promoting high-quality economic development.
She stated that the Protocol on Upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to Version 3.0, officially signed last October, not only injects new momentum into building an open world economy, but also provides an important platform for aligning China’s "15th Five-Year Plan" with Brunei’s "Vision 2035."
She pointed out that for the first time, the Version 3.0 Free Trade Area includes emerging fields such as the digital economy, green development, and supply chain connectivity, which will create more opportunities for Bruneian SMEs to access the Chinese market, promote smart logistics at ports, and encourage young entrepreneurs to participate in China’s digital economic development.
Tong Xiaoling stated that technological innovation requires open cooperation and mutual benefit. China’s experience and strengths in new energy, digital infrastructure, and smart city construction will provide technology and funding to support Brunei’s digital transformation and low-carbon development.
She also mentioned that not long ago, an embodied intelligent robot from China performed alongside students and teachers of the Sultan Foundation School to celebrate Hari Raya, presenting a spectacular integration of technology and art to all sectors of Brunei.
She expressed her belief that the two countries will continue to rely on high-quality joint development of the "Belt and Road Initiative" and Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, further strengthening technological empowerment, deepening the alignment of development strategies, and jointly building an even closer China-Brunei community with a shared future.
Tong Xiaoling also shared the story of an old Chinese-Bruneian expatriate. When he was young, his first trip to China required a week-long journey by slow boat; now, his grandson can leave Bandar Seri Begawan in the morning and arrive in Beijing by afternoon to study.
She said that although the physical distance between the two countries continues to shrink, the deep friendship between their peoples has never changed.
She quoted President Xi Jinping’s frequent use of the old Chinese proverb, “Relatives wish each other well, and so do neighbors,” expressing that China is willing to forever be Brunei’s "good neighbor, good friend, and good partner."
She also quoted the Bruneian proverb, "Bagai Dakwat dengan Kertas (like ink and paper)," to describe the inseparable and mutually beneficial friendship between the two countries.