HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday evening safely arrived in Hainan Province from Beijing to attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in the People’s Republic of China. Accompanying His Majesty is HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

Before His Majesty left the China World Hotel in Beijing, a doa selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at the Sanya Phoenix International Airport to greet His Majesty were Le Yucheng, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Wang Lu, Vice Governor of the Hainan Province, the People’s Republic of China.

From the airport, His Majesty proceeded to the Ritz Carlton Hotel where His Majesty will be residing during the visit. On arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was welcomed by the hotel’s General Manager, Michel L Goget.

Accompanying His Majesty to the Hainan Province are Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office; 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; Datin Paduka Magdalene Teo Chee Siong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of China; and other senior government officials.

The BFA will be held for three days and carries the theme “Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation”. The forum will be attended by the President of the People’s Republic of China and the leaders of the founding members of the BFA – Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Cambodia, Kazakshtan, Myanmar and New Zealand.

As a non-government, non-profit international organisation, the BFA is the most prestigious and premier forum for leaders in government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share visions on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large.

The forum is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries even closer to their development goals.

Initiated in 1998 by Fidel V Ramos, former President of the Philippines, Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia, and Morihiro Hosokawa, former Prime Minister of Japan, BFA was formally inaugurated in February 2001. Countries across the region have responded with strong support and great enthusiasm, and the world has listened attentively to the voice coming from a tiny, quiet and scenic island at the southernmost part of China – Boao, the permanent site of the annual conference of the forum since 2002.

Earlier while in Beijing, His Majesty consented to visit the China National Offshore Oil Corporation’s (CNOOC) Headquarters. His Majesty was accompanied by HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

Upon arrival at the CNOOC Headquarters’ Lobby, His Majesty was greeted by Wang Yilin, the Chairman of CNOOC.

His Majesty then proceeded to the briefing room where a welcoming remark was presented by Wang Yilin, the Chairman of CNOOC. This was followed by a brief presentation on CNOOC presented by Yang Hua, the President of CNOOC.

Shortly after, His Majesty consented to receive a ‘pesambah’ from Wang Yilin, the Chairman of CNOOC. His Majesty also consented to join a photo session.

His Majesty was then introduced to two officers from PetroleumBRUNEI who are currently undertaking a work placement at the CNOOC.

His Majesty then consented to take a tour at CNOOC Exhibition Hall and witnessed the exhibitions which showcase the history, development and the daily operations of CNOOC.

CNOOC is a mega government owned company, and the largest offshore oil and gas producer in China.

Headquartered in Beijing, the company’s six main business segments including upstream and downstream industries are oil & gas exploration and development; professional technical services; refining, sales and fertilisers; natural gas and power generation; financial services and alternative energy resources. The company employs more than 90,000 personnel for all its businesses.

Also present during yesterday’s events were the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China, Zheng Xianglin, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, as well as other senior government officials. - Borneo Bulletin (7 April 2013)