AUDIENCE WITH HIS MAJESTY BY PRC DEFENCE MINISTER
By Normasitirena Suhaini
ISTANA NURUL IMAN, Wednesday 8 May 2013 – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu-izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces has consented to receive in audience the State Councillr and Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency General Chang Wanquan at the Istana Nurul Iman.
Also present at the audience ceremony was the Chairman of the 7th ADMM, The Honourable Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin Bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, and the Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development), Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Azmansham bin Pengiran Haji Mohamad.
Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China signed the Memorandum of Understanding on military exchanges on 12 September 2003 in Bandar Seri Begawan. The scope of cooperation includes exchanges of information on defence matters and military exchanges such as trainings and professional courses for personnel.
During the audience, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Excellency General Chang Wanquan discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and exchanged views on current regional and international security issues.
His Excellency General Chang Wanquan and delegation are in the country since 6 May on a 4-day official visit.
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PRC DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS MINDEF
By Normasitirena Suhaini
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday 8 May 2013 – The Ministry of Defence this afternoon received an official visit by the State Councilor and Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency General Chang Wanquan and delegation.
Upon arrival at the Bolkiah Garrison, His Excellency was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat. Also in attendance to welcome His Excellency and delegation were the Defence Executive Members, services commanders, commandants, military and civilian directors from the Ministry of Defence.
On arrival, His Excellency General Chang Wanquan was accorded with a Guard of Honour mounted by personnel from the 2nd Battalion Royal Brunei Land Force. After inspecting the Guard of Honour, His Excellency proceeded to the Briefing Room, Tower Block, for a briefing on the Ministry of Defence and followed by a bilateral discussion.
The visit is part of the ongoing warm bilateral cooperation that has existed between the Ministry of Defense, Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of National Defense, People’s Republic of China. During the bilateral meeting, both sides agreed to continue the exchange of high level visits and further expand the scope to include exchanges between junior level officers. Discussions also touched on the ways forward to strengthen the existing bilateral relations, and enhance military-to-military cooperation between both ministries. Both countries also reaffirmed their strong commitment in working together towards a peaceful and stable region through the defence and security mechanisms such as ASEAN and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus).
His Excellency General Chang Wanquan and delegation are in the country since 6th May on a 4-day official visit and expected to depart on 9th May 2013.
Also included in the visit itinerary are visits to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Defence Academy as well as a visit to the Performance Optimisation Centre (POC).
The defence relation between Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China was incepted through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between defence establishments of both countries back in September 2003. The MOU is a historic and significant milestone reflecting the commitment of both countries to broaden defence cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.