PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, BEIJING, Friday 16 October 2015 – Brunei welcomes China’s continued engagement with ASEAN and their support for multilateral defence initiatives, said the Energy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the recent China-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Beijing, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Mohd Yasmin bin Haji Umar expressed appreciation to China for their contribution to the regional bloc.
The minister represented the sultanate at the informal meeting held on October 15 to 16, which was chaired by Chinese Defence Minister and State Councillor General Chang Wanquan.
He noted that China was committed to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus framework, the upcoming ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Terrorism Exercise as well as the establishment of the Direct Communications Link in the ADMM process.
The ministers at the informal meeting acknowledged China’s importance as a key strategic dialogue partner for ASEAN and extended their appreciation to the nation for their role in the region.
They reaffirmed their commitment to maintain regional peace and security, whilst further reiterating the importance of promoting trust and confidence as well as strengthening defence ties through practical cooperation.
The ministers also voiced concern over non-traditional security threats and challenges such as maritime security, transnational crime and terrorism.
It was the fifth informal meeting between ASEAN and Chinese defence ministers, but the first to take place in the Chinese capital.
The gathering was followed by a visit to the Special Police Academy of the People’s Armed Police Force, where the ministers were given an introduction to the academy and shown several demonstrations by police personnel.
Prior to the informal meeting, General Chang hosted a welcome dinner with cultural performances for the ASEAN defence ministers.
YB Pehin Dato Hj Yasmin also attended a welcome dinner for the Sixth Xiangshan Forum at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on October 16. The forum was held for three days with participation from over 50 countries and institutions globally.
It was jointly organised by the China Institute for International Strategic Studies and China Association for Military Science.