Relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates are excellent and very secure especially in religious fields. The newly appointed Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Yousif Rashid Alshrhan laid the emphasis in an interview with RTB soon after he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Religious Affairs.

According to His Excellency Yousif Rashid Alshrhan, the relationship is further enhanced with exchanges of officials of both nations and bilateral relations between the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Endowment of Dubai. Dubai, reiterated His Excellency, has also set up a religious committee whereby the Islamic world is invited to participate in Al-Quran reading competitions. Brunei Darussalam has also been invited to join a panel of judges at such a competition.

Bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and the People's Republic of China have been described complementary, which benefits both nations. The comment was expressed by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Madam Yang Yanyi in an interview with RTB.

Her Excellency also shared her views on the current economic performance of China amid the rising prices of oil. Her Excellency also expressed China's positive view towards Brunei-China relations and outlined the many ways in which Brunei Darussalam can benefit from China's experience.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Ambassador of Poland to Brunei Darussalam said with the existing good bilateral ties between Brunei Darussalam and Poland, there are possibilities that the relation and cooperation can be expanded in the future.

His Excellency Mr. Eugeniusz Sawicki said His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam takes note of the importance of Poland's entry to the European Union and participation in Asem and other forms of European-ASEAN dialogue.

His Excellency added there is good chemistry between Poland and Brunei, and between the leaders, now that the two countries have an extra forum namely the EU relations with Southeast Asia where Brunei Darussalam is an active partner. And now that Poland has joined this club there is an additional possibility of expanding the relations and cooperation in regional and international matters.

The ambassador who is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia said that the visa exemption between the two countries shows that there is trust and confidence between the two nations, whereby the people enjoy freedom of movement and establish relations and contact amongst each other.

In the Taekwondo event, Brunei Darussalam will compete in two categories, Fly weight and Fin weight. Preparations and intensive training for the games are going well and the athletes have shown impressive progress. Awangku Muhammad Adi Hazmi Bin Pengiran Haji Raimi will participate in the Fin weight category, while Awangku Abdul Raub bin Pengiran Haji Ghani will compete in the Fly weight category. Both competitors currently undergo training under their coach, Mr. Kalanayagam.

The Islamic Solidarity Games is part of the Taekwondo team's preparations for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games, SEA GAMES, in November this year. The Islamic Solidarity Games will hopefully give them the necessary experience in real competitions. Both Taekwondo competitors will leave the country on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Karate-do team will be represented by five athletes. They have been undergoing training since January this year under the supervision of two coaches from Indonesia. They will compete in several categories namely "Kumite" or Sparring, "Kata" or the art of karate-do. One of the Karate-do coaches, Awang Gustaaf bin Yusuf Linelejan said that participation of Brunei Darussalam in the Karate-do will enable the pugilists to polish their skills and gain new exposure in any international championship.

The five pugilists chosen to represent Brunei Darussalam in the first Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia, are based on their hardworking efforts in improving their level of performances as well as their achievements in both national and regional level games.

A number of activities were held Friday to mark World Water Day. The programme that will run for three days is organised by the Public Works Department at its headquarters in Berakas.

The activities lined up were for the participation of adults and children. These included remote control car racing, fishing with hooks and lines, hoop in the duck and an exhibition of activities for four wheel drive vehicles.

There was also a bazaar where visitors could quench their thirst and savour the food on offer. There were seven booths for restaurants and another twenty-one for the sale of toys, clothing and foodstuff.

There was also an exhibition displaying activities of the Water Services Department on the water treatment process. Aside from celebrating the World Water Day 2005, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Pengiran Haji Mohammad Jafarouddin said the exhibition is also to educate the public on the importance of water in daily life.

The organisers also held an art drawing competition themed on the World Water Day. Some of the drawings are for sale ranging between ten and three hundred dollars per piece. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the National Tsunami Victims Relief Fund.