High expectations on Xi's state visit to Brunei

Aerial view of the Empire Hotel and Country Club; Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. [Photo: Imagine China]

Authorities in Brunei are said to be holding out high expectations for this Sunday's visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"In terms of our bilateral relationship, it will enhance our relations into another height by the visit of the President (Xi) on Sunday and Monday," says Brunei's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Aminuddin Ihsan bin Abidin, one of numerous officials and observers in Brunei who are keeping close tabs on Xi Jinping's visit to the Sultanate this Sunday.

Brunei's former ambassador to China, Magdalene Teo, says she expects the visit should help the two countries expand cooperation through the Belt and Road framework.

"I'm longing for President Xi's visit. When I used to be the ambassador, I once welcomed visiting Premier Li Keqiang. I feel happy to see that President Xi will visit Brunei. I hope the visit will deepen our bilateral cooperation and friendship. Brunei supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi, and we hope that there will be more cooperation between the two sides under the Belt and Road," says Teo.

Lim Tiong Han, the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, says this Sunday's visit by Xi Jinping should go a long way toward supporting Chinese interests in Brunei.

"Although Brunei is small in size, the visit by a Chinese leader can significantly help the country's reputation grow. The international community will also pay attention to Brunei, and they might want to know why President Xi pays the state visit to the country. That will bring both Brunei's government and the people an important opportunity to communicate with the rest of the world," says Lim.

China and Brunei established diplomatic ties in 1991, and the two sides agreed to enter into a strategic cooperative relationship in 2013.

China is Brunei's largest source of imports, and a growing number of Chinese companies are also investing and developing business in Brunei.

China's biggest joint venture in the Sultanate, the Hengyi petro-chemical plant, is currently under construction, and is set to go into operation next year.

Beyond business ties, the two sides have also been active in promoting cultural links.

Brunei citizens have been allowed to visit China visa-free since 2003, while Chinese airlines have also been expanding their flight schedules to accommodate more trips in and out of Brunei in recent years.