By Rosli Abidin Yahya & Yusrin Junaidi

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Chinese delegation led by the Vice President of the Supreme People's Court of China, Justice Jiang Xingchang continued their visit to various places of interest on, their second day in the Sultanate.

Yesterday morning the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Head of Syari'e Judge, Pehin Datu Imam Dato Ustaz Haji Abd Hamid bin Bakal at the Brunei Supreme and Syariah Courts Building at Jalan Stoney in the capital.

The delegation toured various facilities in the building including court rooms, counselling section and. the multipurpose hall. The $14 million Brunei Supreme and Syariah Courts Building was constructed on a ten-acre land at the site of the old General Hospital. It started operation early January this year.

The delegation then proceeded to the Brunei Museum and Malay Technology Museum in Jalan Kota Batu. The Brunei Museum has several outstanding galleries such as the superb Islamic Art Gallery where, among the riches on display, are beautifully illuminated antique alQurans from India, Iran, Egypt and Turkey; exquisite prayer mats; and unique items like a pair of ungainly wooden slippers.

At the Oil and Gas Gallery, exhibits, graphics and captions recount the story of Brunei's oil reserves from the drilling of the first-well in 1928 to current extraction and refining techniques. At the Muslim Life Gallery, glimpses of social traditions, such as the sweetening of a new-born baby's mouth with honey or dates, and the disposal of its placenta in a bayung, a palm-leaf basket which is either hung on a tree or floated downriver, can be witnessed. At the back of the gallery, a small collection of early - photographs shows riverine hawkers trading from their boats at Kampung Ayer.

The Malay Technology Museum has three galleries providing an insight into the traditional Malay life, including examples of Kedayan, Murut and Dusun dwellings. The visitors were treated to lunch by the Head of Syari' e Judge, Pehin Datu Imam Dato Ustaz Haji Abd Hamid bin Bakal at the Sheraton Utama Hotel.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Kiarong. They were welcomed by mosque officers who later briefed and presented a video clip on the functions and structure of the mosque to the visitors.

In the evening, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, Ms Yang Yanyi.

Today, the delegation will visit the world's largest stilted water village, Kampong Ayer, to witness its splendour and charm before they return home.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Supreme People's Court of China and delegation attended a welcome dinner at Li-Gong Restaurant on Tuesday.

The reception was hosted by Chief Justice Dato Paduka Mohammed Saied. Also in attendance were senior officers and staff.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin