Wang Yi holds talks with Bruneian Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan bin Pehin Yusof and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah and co-chairs the second meeting of China-Brunei Intergovernmental Joint Steering Committee

Wang Yi said that in face of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, under the leadership of the two heads of state, the two countries joined hands and helped each other during the fight against the pandemic, and became the first to ride out of it, making the grade in responding to the people in front of adversity. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Brunei diplomatic relations and China-ASEAN dialogue relations, which coincides with Brunei's rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two sides need to take the opportunity of the two 30th anniversaries, follow the two main themes of pandemic response and development, make bilateral and multilateral cooperation plans, and improve and upgrade all-round cooperation based on the Belt and Road cooperation, in order to elevate China-Brunei and China-ASEAN relations and bring greater benefits for the two countries and people in the region.

Wang Yi said that China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Brunei, make joint efforts for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and draft development plans of bilateral relations in the next 30 years based on the success in the past 30 years. The two sides need to continue to enhance anti-pandemic cooperation, launch the "fast tracks" and "green lanes" for the flow of personnel and goods, and sustain stable industrial and supply chains. China supports its domestic enterprises in engaging with the Bruneian side on vaccine cooperation. The two countries need to push the China-Brunei intergovernmental joint steering committee to make further progress in achieving its set goals, facilitate the two flagship projects of Hengyi PMB Refinery and Petrochemical Project and Guangxi-Brunei Economic corridor, maintain development momentum of economic, trade and investment cooperation, explore new areas of growth in 5G, digital economy, AI, big data application, expand agricultural and tourist cooperation, and enhance higher education and students exchanges. China is willing to provide Brunei with more development opportunities, and welcomes Brunei to attend China-ASEAN Expo and China International Import Expo, and actively participate in the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

Wang Yi said that China supports Brunei in taking over the ASEAN rotating chairmanship, and is ready to work with Brunei to elevate China-ASEAN relations, promote the early enforcement of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, build a China-ASEAN cybersecurity community, improve public health cooperation and forge a Blue Economy Partnership. The two sides need to uphold the ASEAN's centrality in regional cooperation, safeguard an open and inclusive regional structure, guide all parties to focus on development and East Asia, and maintain the sound momentum of regional cooperation in East Asia. We support anything that helps to uphold the ASEAN's centrality, whilst we should be alert to any attempt to sabotage its centrality.

The Bruneian side said that Brunei attaches great importance to its relations with China, as there are broad common interests and tremendous potential of cooperation between the two countries. Brunei is willing to take the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Brunei diplomatic relations and China-ASEAN dialogue relations to further promote its cooperation with China. Brunei is grateful for China's assistance for its fight against the pandemic, and appreciates the China's announcement that its vaccines will be provided to ASEAN countries as a public good once successfully developed. Brunei hopes to enhance bilateral cooperation in fisheries and tourism, and promote the construction of Hengyi PMB Refinery and Petrochemical Project and Guangxi-Brunei Economic Corridor. It welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Brunei to explore new areas of cooperation in e-commerce and digital economy, and help realize diversified economic development of the country. Brunei is ready to, during its rotating ASEAN chairmanship, prioritize the cooperation with China, elevate China-ASEAN relations to a new level, further strengthen the construction of free trade areas, promote the cooperation in poverty alleviation, education, cybersecurity and sustainable development, and reach consensus on Blue Economy Partnership. Brunei will continue to actively participate in China-ASEAN Expo and China International Import Expo.

The two sides announced the launch of an energy cooperation working group under the framework of China-Brunei intergovernmental joint steering committee, and stated they will maintain communication on the establishment of a marine cooperation working group to jointly promote cooperation in relevant areas. The two sides will continue to work on the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and to facilitate the agreement on substantive and effective regional norms.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, Wang Yi and Erywan bin Pehin Yusof jointly unveiled the logo commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Brunei diplomatic relations, officially launching the celebration activities.