Tuesday, 31st October 2006

NEWS:- Tuesday, 31st October 2006

His Majesty attends commemorative summit marking 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue in Nanning

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Monday joined other ASEAN Heads of Government and State in attending a commemorative summit marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Dialogue in Nanning, the chinese provincial capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomy.

During the closed session of the Summit, His Majesty in his remarks stated that he was pleased with the overall progress of the ASEAN-China relations and acknowledged that the history ASEAN and China shared over the last 15 years had been meaningful. His Majesty stated that ASEAN and China had achieved a great deal over the years and highlighted that despite difficult times such as the financial crisis in 1997, fears of major health problems and threats of terrorism, ASEAN and China have continued working positively and emerged with their partnership greatly strengthened. His Majesty acknowledged that this was a most impressive record and gave ASEAN great hope and confidence for the future. In this respect, the monarch welcomed the proposed establishment of an ASEAN-China centre and offered his full support. His Majesty regarded this as a symbol of what ASEAN and China are trying to achieve, not only in trade and investment but also cultural affairs and in simple day-to-day human contact that provide re-assurances to the people of ASEAN and China. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed confidence that the proposed centre would do a great deal to strengthen this and acknowledged China’s support to ASEAN and welcomed various Chinese proposals raised during the Summit. His Majesty stated that Brunei Darussalam would do everything it can as coordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue over the next three years and looked forward to the future, building on the excellent relations over the years.

His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival at the International Convention Centre in Liyuan Hotel by the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Wen Jiabao. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade was also at the gathering. Later, His Majesty took a group photo with other ASEAN Heads of Government and State together with His Excellency Wen Jiabao.

At the summit, leaders of both ASEAN and China are expected to discuss the achievement attained and experience of success of their friendly relations as well as future bilateral development planning. Following the photo session, His Majesty and His Excellency Wen Jiabao and the ASEAN Heads of Government and State proceeded to the Multi Purpose Hall to attend the commemorative summit marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Dialogue. The summit is the first held in China among leaders of the ten nation association and is considered a historic event in China. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in his opening address stressed that the China-ASEAN relations is a good exemplary of friendship exchange and cooperation amongst nations of the region, beneficial to both sides as important contributor to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world in general. The new Chairman of ASEAN, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines in her address said that cooperation between ASEAN and China does not only concern that of economy and trade but also involved security, politic and regional development.

ASEAN and China agrees to extend cooperation from five to ten major fields

After the Summit Opening, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam together with other Heads of State and Government of ASEAN and the Chinese Prime Minister, His Excellency Wen Jiabao signed a joint statement in conjunction with the Commemorative Summit marking the 15th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. Under the agreement, ASEAN and China express satisfaction with the extension of cooperation from five to ten major fields namely agriculture, info-communications technology, human resource development, bilateral investment, transportation, energy, culture, tourism and public health as well as the signings of several memoranda of understanding.

Both sides also hoped that the establishment of a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area will be implemented by the year 2010 including free trade for Cambodia, the Lao People Democratic, Myanmar and Vietnam by 2015.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen socio-cultural cooperation between higher and secondary educational institutions, upgrading the exchange of youth programmes by organising a China-ASEAN youth leaders’ conference. Efforts to establish strategic partner is also a priority towards cementing dialogue relations between ASEAN and dialog partners that contribute to regional security and stability. China as an economic power also supports the role of ASEAN in generating regional development such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit.

His Majesty attends a banquet at Grand Hall of People’s Congress of Nanning

His Majesty joined other ASEAN leaders in attending a welcoming Banquet in their honor at the Grand Hall of the People’s Congress of Nanning, hosted by Premier Wen Jiabao.

Later, the leaders were entertained to an Art Performance. Accompanying His Majesty at the event was His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Brunei’s Ambassador-At-Large who is in Nanning for the 1st China-ASEAN Women’s Forum as Guest of Honor, also attended the banquet.

Brunei’s Ambassador-at-Large attends First China-ASEAN Women's Forum

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Brunei’s Ambassador-at-Large is also in Nanning, the People’s Republic of China to attend the First China-ASEAN Women’s Forum as the guest of honor. The China-ASEAN Women’s Forum which will be held Monday and today is being organised back-to-back with the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

Her Royal Highness was greeted upon arrival by the Executive Committee Member and Director-General of International Department of the All-China Women’s Federation, Her Excellency Zhang Jing; the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Madam Yang Yanyi and several senior officers of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People’s Government.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna is accompanied by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz. Also present were Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador to China and other officials of the Brunei Embassy in Beijing.

Petroleum Brunei-JBIC sign MOU for cooperation on project finance knowledge transfer

The Brunei National Petroleum Company, PetroleumBrunei, Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, for cooperation on project finance knowledge transfer with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, JBIC. The Second Minister of Finance who is also Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of PetroleumBrunei, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony.

The Chief Executive Officer of PetroleumBrunei, Awang Haji Mohamad Jaafar bin Haji Bakar signed the MOU together with the Senior Executive Director of JBIC, Mr. Junichi Kondo. As part of the MOU, JBIC will share its experiences in project finance with PetroleumBrunei through occasional workshops and exchange of information. PetroleumBrunei’s joint venture company, the Brunei Methanol Company and its other shareholders, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company and Itochu Corporation, are in discussions with JBIC on project financing of the Brunei Darussalam Methanol Project to build the country’s first gas-based petrochemical plant. The MOU signifies the close relationship between Brunei’s National Petroleum Company and Japan’s Governmental Financial Institution. The signing ceremony took place at the Civil Service Institute in Rimba, Gadong.

21-year old local man detains for smuggling meat

A 21-year old Bruneian man has been detained for smuggling dubious meat. Seven officers of the Enforcement and Intelligence Section of the Royal Custom and Excise Department carried out an operation in curbing smuggling activities at Jalan Tikus of Kampung Junjungan in the Brunei-Muara District and arrested the suspect after stopping his car at Kampung Kiarong, Monday. The arrest was made following a tip-off from the public.

The law enforcers discovered 15 cartoons weighing 300 kilogrammes of the “ALLANA” brand meat from India in his vehicle. The contraband goods and vehicle were confiscated pending further investigation. The public with any information on such activities can contact the Custom hotline: 2382422 or mobile phone number to call or SMS: 8714422.

Land Transport Department offers tenders for new license plate numbers

The Land Transport Department is now offering tenders for new license plate numbers KL11 to KL9999. Tender forms and details are available at the Headquarters of the Land Transport Department at Jalan Beribi, Gadong, and its branches in the Brunei Muara and Belait Districts. The tenders should be submitted to the tender box, ground floor, at the Headquarters of the Land Transport Department in Gadong.

END OF NEWS

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