"The the Belt and Road is the Road of Hope" Economy and Trade | Brunei | One Belt
"Brunei and China are friendly neighbors across the sea, with a long history of exchanges. Brunei looks forward to further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with China, sharing development achievements, and creating a better future for the people of both countries." Fildas Raman, President of the Brunei China Friendship Association, said in an interview with our reporter.
"In recent years, Brunei and China have had frequent high-level visits, increasing civil exchanges, and expanding practical cooperation in various fields." Raman said that in 2021, the bilateral trade volume between Brunei and China reached 2.85 billion US dollars, an increase of more than 200 times compared to the beginning of diplomatic relations. In 2022, the trade volume between the two countries exceeded 3 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%, reaching a new historical high. "The initiative of jointly building the the Belt and Road has brought Brunei closer to China and closer relations between the two countries."
Raman said that the initiative of jointly building the "the Belt and Road" is highly consistent with Brunei's economic diversification strategy "2035 aspiration". Hengyi Petrochemical's Greater Mora Island Comprehensive Refining Project, Mora Port, etc. have not only driven the development of economic and trade investment between Brunei and China, but also promoted economic and trade cooperation between Brunei and other countries. "The 'the Belt and Road' is the road of hope, bringing development opportunities to the co construction of the country."
"Brunei's economy has long been supported by the oil and gas industry, and we urgently hope to strengthen cooperation with China to promote the development of Brunei's downstream oil and gas industries, technology, infrastructure, agriculture, and other fields, and to help Brunei's economic diversification process." Raman said that strengthening cooperation in the article will also promote cooperation between China and relevant countries in trade, investment, and tourism, making greater contributions to the economic development of the Asia Pacific region.
In the early 1990s, Raman went to Guangzhou to participate in the Canton Fair. Afterwards, he had more and more opportunities to visit China and witness its rapid development. "China is the world's second-largest economy, completing the development process of developed countries over hundreds of years in just a few decades, and creating miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability," said Raman.
During his visit to the Gobi Plateau in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Raman was amazed by the tremendous changes brought about by the Fujian Ningxia poverty alleviation cooperation. "China's historic elimination of absolute poverty has completed an extremely arduous task, achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development poverty reduction goal 10 years ahead of schedule." In Raman's view, "true democracy is to enhance people's happiness index. In the article, both governments are serving the people and promoting economic and social development and prosperity."
Raman said that the Wen China Friendship Association has long been committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and culture between the two countries, and is one of the important bridges for communication and exchange between the two peoples. He believes that both countries are committed to promoting economic and social development and enhancing people's well-being. The two countries should further deepen exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, consolidate friendly relations between the two countries, and promote cooperation in various fields. "Working together towards the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the two countries will have more space for development and cooperation."
