(Bandar Seri Begawan, 1st) Colonel Dai Qilin, Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Brunei, stated that China will comprehensively advance international military cooperation in the new era, actively contribute public security products, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
He pointed out that August 1st marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Since its establishment under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has made immortal achievements for national independence, people's liberation, and the country’s prosperity, and has also made important contributions to safeguarding world peace and tranquility.
In his speech at the reception for the 98th anniversary of the PLA founding held at the Chinese Embassy in Brunei last night, Dai Qilin stressed that China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development, pursued an independent foreign policy of peace and a defensive national defense policy.
“We will continue to implement the Global Security Initiative, actively participate in international peacekeeping, maritime escort, humanitarian rescue and other cooperation, and provide more public security products for regional and global security and stability,” he said.
Dai Qilin pointed out that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery.
“As the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, China was the first to join the war, maintained resistance for the longest time, made the greatest sacrifices, and made tremendous contributions to the final victory.”
He stated that China will hold grand commemorative activities on September 3rd, including a military parade, with the theme of ‘Commemorating the Great Victory of the War of Resistance and Carrying Forward the Great Spirit of Resistance.’
Dai Qilin also reviewed recent achievements in defense cooperation between China and Brunei. He said that in February this year, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei paid a state visit to China and held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which both sides reached broad consensus on defense cooperation and other areas.
“The joint statement clearly pointed out that the joint defense working committee mechanism between the two countries is of great significance for strengthening joint training, personnel training, international peacekeeping, and think tank exchanges.”
He said that since last year, China-Brunei military relations have continued to deepen: the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Brunei Ministry of Defence attended the Xiangshan Forum, and the China-Brunei Joint Defense Working Committee meeting was successfully held in Beijing.
“The Chinese Navy's Changbaishan ship made a technical port call in Brunei; a delegation from China National Defense University also visited Brunei. More importantly, from 2024 to 2027, China and Brunei will jointly serve as co-chairs of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Peacekeeping Experts’ Working Group, and both sides have carried out mutual visits and hosted their own peacekeeping expert forums.”
He noted that these collaborations reflect the strategic mutual trust between both sides and underscore their firm direction of jointly safeguarding regional peace.
“In the future, we will continue to closely cooperate with the Bruneian side, actively implement the consensus reached by the heads of state, promote high-level exchanges between our two militaries, expand multilateral cooperation, and jointly usher in a new chapter in China-Brunei military relations,” he said.
The guest of honor at the reception was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence Pehin Halbi and spouse. Also invited was Minister of Development Dato Juanda. Other attendees included senior officials from the Brunei government, military representatives, diplomats stationed in Brunei, representatives of the Chinese community, staff members from Chinese enterprises, and Chinese expatriates in Brunei.