Brunei-China ties taken a notch higher
"The good relations between citizens of both countries could be traced back to more than 500 years." General Cao Gangchuan
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
China will continue to boost bilateral cooperation, says senior official Cao Gangchuan
BRUNEI and China's defence relations have the potential to be further improved, resulting in more exchanges of personnel training and mutual cooperation in other military affairs, said China's State Councillor and Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan in an exclusive interview yesterday.
Based on the "good foundation" of both countries' defence relations, Brunei and China will continue to strengthen the development of bilateral cooperation in many areas, he said, after concluding his three-day visit.
"Our main purpose of this visit is to enhance mutual understanding of defence and military affairs as well as foster closer cooperation," General Cao explained.
The 72-year-old defence minister pointed out that the visit also saw the exchange of views on anti-terrorism, as well as providing emergency humanitarian aid when needed.
He also praised Brunei's quality of military equipment, especially in the air force, saying that the management and maintenance of the equipment have left a good impression on him.
There are three main features to Brunei-China defence relations, including the promotion of deepening defence relations, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2003 and the continuous improvement in scope of cooperation, he said.
"The relations of both ar-mies is gradually mechanism-oriented," he said, adding that the MoU has helped identify the direction of further development. The MoU's scope of cooperation includes exchanges of information on defence matters as well as military exchanges on training.
"China has invited Brunei's defence leaders to visit China and observe its military exercises to be held this year. Brunei has also expressed its wish to strengthen mutual cooperation in the area of training," he said, adding that Brunei has also extended its invitation to China to participate in the Bridex defence exhibition next year.
Furthermore, he said that Brunei-China relations can be characterised as having an established historical relation.
He said that good relations between citizens of both countries could be traced back to more than 500 years, and the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991 have since opened up a new chapter in the two countries' relations.
"Both sides in the exchange of economic, cultural and other areas of cooperation have recorded favourable results, while close coordination in international and regional affairs has been maintained between the two countries," he added.
The Brunei Times
Chinese general visits Rimba air force base β Pg 4
BRUNEI and China's defence relations have the potential to be further improved, resulting in more exchanges of personnel training and mutual cooperation in other military affairs, said China's State Councillor and Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan in an exclusive interview yesterday.
Based on the "good foundation" of both countries' defence relations, Brunei and China will continue to strengthen the development of bilateral cooperation in many areas, he said, after concluding his three-day visit.
"Our main purpose of this visit is to enhance mutual understanding of defence and military affairs as well as foster closer cooperation," General Cao explained.
The 72-year-old defence minister pointed out that the visit also saw the exchange of views on anti-terrorism, as well as providing emergency humanitarian aid when needed.
He also praised Brunei's quality of military equipment, especially in the air force, saying that the management and maintenance of the equipment have left a good impression on him.
There are three main features to Brunei-China defence relations, including the promotion of deepening defence relations, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2003 and the continuous improvement in scope of cooperation, he said.
"The relations of both ar-mies is gradually mechanism-oriented," he said, adding that the MoU has helped identify the direction of further development. The MoU's scope of cooperation includes exchanges of information on defence matters as well as military exchanges on training.
"China has invited Brunei's defence leaders to visit China and observe its military exercises to be held this year. Brunei has also expressed its wish to strengthen mutual cooperation in the area of training," he said, adding that Brunei has also extended its invitation to China to participate in the Bridex defence exhibition next year.
Furthermore, he said that Brunei-China relations can be characterised as having an established historical relation.
He said that good relations between citizens of both countries could be traced back to more than 500 years, and the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991 have since opened up a new chapter in the two countries' relations.
"Both sides in the exchange of economic, cultural and other areas of cooperation have recorded favourable results, while close coordination in international and regional affairs has been maintained between the two countries," he added.
The Brunei Times
Chinese general visits Rimba air force base β Pg 4
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