ICC, 6^th October 2008

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Ahmad,

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and

Yang Mulia Datin Hajah Masnah,

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am greatly honoured to have your presence this evening to celebrate together the 59^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The year 2008 is an eventful year for China and the Chinese people. We have defeated the severe snowstorm in January and the devastating earthquake in May. We have successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics in August, realizing the Chinese nation’s Olympic dream of 100 years. We have fulfilled the Shenzhou-VII manned space mission in September, achieving a milestone breakthrough in China’s space technology development.

In our striving for modernization, we are still faced with many difficulties and problems, yet we have full confidence that we will overcome them. We attribute this confidence to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the government, the solidarity and the hard work of the Chinese people and the experience in reform and development.

The year 2008 marks the 30^th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up which shaped the course of China’s development. In the past 30 years, tremendous changes have taken place in China. In 2007, China’s GDP reached US$ 3.61 trillion, the 3^rd largest in the world. Remarkable progress has also been achieved across all social sectors and the Chinese people’s living standard has been greatly improved. In the past 30 years, historic changes have also occurred in the relations between contemporary China and the rest of the world, resulting in ever closer interconnection between China’s future and destiny and those of the world. China will unswervingly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and hold high the great banner of development and cooperation. China would like to join hands with all other countries and contribute to establishing a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The year 2008 is also an eventful year for China-Brunei relations. We have maintained close exchanges at all levels and across the board. In August, His Majesty the Sultan attended the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. And His Majesty will soon visit China again and attend the 7^th Asia-Europe Summit Meeting to be held on 24^th October in Beijing. Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna will visit Nanjing, Jiangsu Province and celebrate with us the 600^th anniversary of visit to China by Boni Maharaja Karna. The bilateral trade between China and Brunei witnessed an increase of 7.3% for the first 7 months of this year, reaching US$157 million. We are pleased to see that the all-around friendship and cooperation between the two countries has continued to grow.

China and Brunei Darussalam are close neighbors and trustworthy friends. We are deeply touched by the goodwill and support extended by His Majesty’s government and the Bruneian people to the Chinese government and people in our disaster relief and our hosting of the Beijing Olympic games. Friends in need are friends indeed.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On this joyous occasion of the 59^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, may I wish that Brunei Darussalam and her people enjoy ever lasting prosperity and happiness and that the People’s Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam enjoy ever growing friendship and cooperation!

Thank you! Selamat Hari Raya!