Joint Statement
between the People's Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam on Advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership towards a China – Brunei Community with a Shared Future
1. At the invitation of His Excellency (H.E.) Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, made a State Visit to the People's Republic of China on 6 February 2025. During the visit, His Majesty held bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping, and had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, and reached broad consensus.
During the visit, His Majesty also met with H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress. His Majesty will also attend the Opening Ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Heilongjiang Province on 7 February 2025.
2. Both sides recalled the historical ties of Brunei Darussalam - China relations, and agreed that the bilateral ties have grown from strength to strength since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991 and have stood the test of time amidst an evolving international landscape. They reaffirmed mutual respect for each other's independence, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law. Both countries maintain a close partnership based on mutual respect and trust, and have continued to cooperate closely in regional and international affairs, demonstrating equality, harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between both sides.
3. Both sides looked forward to advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership, established during the State Visit of President Xi Jinping to Brunei Darussalam in 2018, with a view to working towards a Brunei Darussalam - China community with a shared future that promotes the interests of developing countries, and contributes to sustainable development, regional and international peace and stability, consistent with the UN Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, as well as the Bandung Spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation.
4. Both sides underscored the Joint Steering Committee as an overarching mechanism in providing strategic guidance on cooperation between the two countries and as a basis for building mutual trust. Both sides looked forward to holding the third meeting to intensify strategic communication, enhance cooperation and exchanges in various fields and will work towards establishing the relevant working groups.
5. Brunei Darussalam commended China's historic achievements and reform in the development of China in the new era under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, which made great contributions to maintaining world peace, stability and sustainable development. Brunei Darussalam believed China's continued progress will contribute to advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China congratulated the outstanding economic and social achievements of Brunei Darussalam since the resumption of independence in 1984, and its continued role as a responsible member of the international community. China reaffirmed its strong support for Brunei Darussalam's economic diversification efforts, particularly towards the successful realization of Wawasan 2035 under the leadership of His Majesty, and believed that Brunei Darussalam will continue to maintain stability, prosperity and sustainable development.
6. China will continue to firmly support Brunei Darussalam in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. Brunei Darussalam reiterated its continued adherence to the One-China Policy and recognizes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. Brunei Darussalam further supports the peaceful development of Cross-Straits relations and the reunification of China.
7. Brunei Darussalam and China will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment by encouraging investment and business exchanges between enterprises to enhance mutual benefit and economic growth. Both sides will further synergize development strategies and deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, by strengthening economic partnerships, including through the Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor and promoting quality foreign direct investments (FDI) in key sectors such as food, downstream oil and gas, tourism, services and ICT.
8. Both sides are pleased with the progress of Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd, including the successful completion of Phase 1, and will guide the enterprise in the commencement of the Phase 2 project, as early as possible, on a commercial basis and in accordance with market-oriented approaches.
9. Brunei Darussalam welcomed China's interest in exploring investment opportunities in power, utilities, clean technologies and supporting infrastructure within the Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) Industrial Park. In this regard, both sides also welcomed the renewal of the Bilateral Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative signed between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Brunei Darussalam towards seizing economic opportunities in realization of Brunei Darussalam's Wawasan 2035 and China's Belt and Road Initiative.
10. China acknowledged Brunei Darussalam's strategic importance and recognized the success of the Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd, a collaboration project with Beibu Gulf, that potentially will contribute to the development of Brunei Darussalam as a regional hub for logistics, shipment, aviation, and overall connectivity. Both sides anticipate the completion of the Muara Container Terminal (MCT) expansion project will enhance Brunei Darussalam's competitiveness as a gateway to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through the development of a Port Trade Zone, additional cargo handling and logistics capabilities to support the growth of other industries in Brunei Darussalam.
11. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of energy cooperation. They also agreed to support their respective countries' enterprises to cooperate on a commercial basis in the areas of maritime oil and gas resources, in accordance with the principles of international law and following the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
12. They also agreed to cooperate in the development of resources in mutually agreed areas, on a without prejudice basis to legal positions of the respective countries under international law, including 1982 UNCLOS.
13. Both sides welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China on Agricultural Cooperation signed in December 2024, which seeks to strengthen, facilitate, promote and develop cooperation in rice planting and breeding; livestock and fisheries and enhance agricultural trade and investment.
14. Both sides agreed to expand trade in promoting niche goods and services through platforms including the China-ASEAN Expo and China International Import Expo.
15. Brunei Darussalam looked forward to China's support and facilitation to deepening hybrid rice research cooperation, including developing local expertise and enhancing research and development in hybrid rice production, in order to contribute to Brunei Darussalam's overall food security.
16. Brunei Darussalam expressed appreciation to China for extending a unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders. China welcomed Brunei Darussalam's decision to extend a 14-day visa waiver exemption for Chinese ordinary passport holders. Both sides expressed confidence that these visa waiver arrangements will continue to deepen and facilitate the people-to-people exchanges in tourism, culture, business, education, transport, health, sports development and infrastructure, and sister-city relationships. Brunei Darussalam looked forward to welcoming an increase in Chinese tourists arrivals that will contribute to fostering mutual understanding and stronger people-to-people ties.
17. Both sides acknowledged the importance of the Joint Defence Working Committee (JDWC) as a platform to enhance exchanges and cooperation in joint exercises and training, personnel training, international peacekeeping, and collaboration between institutions and think tanks. These efforts are pragmatic and complement the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) mechanism, aimed at consolidating strategic mutual trust and safeguarding regional and international peace and stability.
18. Both sides affirmed their strong commitment to combatting transnational crimes, and upholding the rule of law, and agreed to continue enhancing consultations in the regional and international mechanisms as well as explore exchanges and cooperation including mutual legal assistance, extradition and training in prosecution.
19. Both sides spoke positively of the ASEAN-China relations, and will seek to advance the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and forge a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to work together in implementing the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations towards peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development. Brunei Darussalam welcomed China's continued commitment to support ASEAN Centrality and the bloc's strategic autonomy, in the evolving regional architecture and China's positive participation in and contribution to the various ASEAN-led processes including ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
20. Both sides recognized that ASEAN-China cooperation benefits over 2 billion people and serves as a model for regional economic integration. Brunei Darussalam looks forward to strengthening collaboration including through the implementation of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between ASEAN and China in areas of mutual interest. Brunei Darussalam appreciates China's 20 years of partnership with the BIMP-EAGA, and China will continue to support Brunei Darussalam's role within the BIMP-EAGA sub-region through the continued organization of human resource programmes and contributions to cooperation projects under the BIMP-EAGA-China Cooperation Plan of Action 2020-2025.
21. Brunei Darussalam expressed appreciation for China's support for the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam and welcomed collaboration with the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC).
22. Both sides underscored the importance of preserving and maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, underpinned by respect for sovereignty and adherence to international order based on international law. They reiterated their commitment to preserving the Southeast Asian region as a nuclear weapon-free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction as enshrined in the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ Treaty) to contribute to regional peace and stability.
23. Both sides agreed to jointly uphold multilateralism and open regionalism, ensure high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and continue to work towards the signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (FTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol and its implementation. Brunei Darussalam supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Hong Kong's accession to RCEP.
24. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding a non-discriminatory, open, fair, transparent and predictable multilateral trading system with WTO at its core. Both sides will strengthen cooperation in advancing the necessary reform of the WTO and defending the legitimate interests of developing members. Brunei Darussalam acknowledges that, with the incorporation of the Agreement on Investment Facilitation for Development, it could bring potential benefits to the global trading system.
25. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and friendly consultations between ASEAN and China in safeguarding peace, stability, and security in the South China Sea. In this regard, they reaffirmed their commitment towards the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and finalizing an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, in accordance with international law, including 1982 UNCLOS.
26. Both sides believed that the world is undergoing profound changes and has entered a new period of uncertainty and transformation. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to upholding multilateralism and the need to firmly stand together, strengthen solidarity and coordination, jointly address various global challenges, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world, and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Brunei Darussalam acknowledged China's commitment as a global leader and responsible member of the international community, including through the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind put forward by President Xi Jinping.
27. Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation under various multilateral frameworks. They will uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides will also continue to safeguard international fairness and justice, stand for international unity and cooperation, and promote the common values of mutual respect, peace, development, equality, justice, democracy and freedom of humanity.
28. Both sides welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza that came into effect on 19 January 2025. They viewed the deal as a critical step but noted that the root causes to ending decades of occupation need to be addressed to reach a just and lasting solution. Brunei Darussalam and China remain firmly committed to the two-state solution, towards achieving an independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as to support the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
29. During the visit, both sides also signed agreements on economic cooperation, judiciary, sister-city, and media towards further enhancing relations in areas of strategic interests.
30. His Majesty expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government and people for their warm and friendly reception and invited President Xi Jinping to visit Brunei Darussalam. President Xi thanked His Majesty for the invitation and accepted the invitation with pleasure.
