China and Brunei Reaffirm Commitment to Shared Future During High-Level Visit

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – A high-level Chinese delegation, led by Peng Qinghua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and president of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, concluded a visit to Brunei on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. During the visit, both nations reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation and promoting the building of a China-Brunei community with a shared future.

Strategic Dialogue and Key Meetings

During his visit, Peng Qinghua engaged in significant discussions with Bruneian leadership, including an audience with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah and a meeting with Haji Abdul Rahman, Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam. Peng emphasized the long-standing traditional friendship between China and Brunei, noting that bilateral relations have been consistently elevated under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. He stated that China is prepared to work with Brunei to implement the important common understandings reached by their leaders, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and pursue common development.

The Bruneian side affirmed the high importance it places on developing relations with China, firmly adhering to the 'one-China policy'. Brunei expressed its readiness to deepen exchanges and cooperation across all sectors, fostering mutual understanding and friendship between their peoples, and jointly advancing the building of a Brunei-China community with a shared future. The delegation also participated in a 'Civil Dialogue on Contributing People-to-People Strength to the Building of a China-Brunei Community with a Shared Future' event.

Broader Context of a Shared Future

The recent visit builds upon a series of high-level engagements that have consistently focused on the concept of a 'community with a shared future'. In February 2025, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah undertook a state visit to China, during which a 'Joint Statement on Advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership towards a China – Brunei Community with a Shared Future' was issued. During that visit, the Sultan met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress.

Further reinforcing these ties, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng visited Brunei in October 2024, meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. Discussions during this visit highlighted strengthening strategic communication, deepening practical cooperation, and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, and agriculture. President Xi Jinping also met with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in San Francisco in November 2023, where they discussed expanding cooperation in food security, digital economy, green development, and people-to-people exchanges.

Areas of Enhanced Cooperation

The commitment to a shared future translates into concrete areas of cooperation. Both nations aim to:

• Strengthen political mutual trust and strategic communication.
• Deepen practical cooperation in sectors including economy, trade, investment, energy, and agriculture.
• Advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
• Promote people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, tourism, and health.
• Work towards positive progress in joint development at sea and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
• Support Brunei's economic diversification efforts, particularly towards the successful realization of 'Wawasan 2035'.

The ongoing dialogue and frequent high-level exchanges underscore the mutual desire of China and Brunei to foster a robust and enduring partnership, contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.