HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday safely arrived in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China for a State Visit to the country.

Accompanying His Majesty is His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

Upon arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport, His Majesty was greeted by Guoping Cheng, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (responsible for Russia/Europe) and a senior local government official.

Also at the airport to greet His Majesty were Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; 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; and Datin Paduka Magdalene Teo Chee Siong, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of China.

His Majesty received a bouquet of flowers and walked past a static guard before boarding a motorcade to the China World Hotel, where His Majesty will reside throughout the State Visit.

Upon arrival at the China World Hotel, His Majesty was greeted by John Rice, the General Manager of the hotel. His Majesty also received a bouquet of flowers.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei in September 1991, bilateral relations between the two countries have been strengthened.

Cooperation between China and Brunei has been impressive over the years. Among the areas of cooperation include economic and trade, energy, aviation, health, culture, tourism, education, military and people-to-people exchange.

His Majesty will also be attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 to be held in Hainan Province.

Before departing the Istana Nurul Iman earlier in the day, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar in Rimba to bid farewell to His Majesty were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik; HRH Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah and other members of the royal family.

Also present at the hangar were YAM Pengiran Cheterias; Speaker of the State Legislative Council; Cabinet Ministers; Members of Councils; Deputy Ministers; the Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; the Commissioner of Police and Fang Xinwen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam. - Borneo Bulletin (5 April 2013)