Brunei

Author: Liu Xinsheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Brunei is located in the northwest of Borneo Island and has been ruled by sultans since ancient times. It established a sultanate in the 15th century. In the late 16th century, it began to suffer invasions by Western colonialists and became a British "protectorate" in 1888. After oil was discovered in 1929, Brunei's economy underwent a dramatic transformation. In 1984, it gained full independence. In the latter half of the 20th century, it developed into a wealthy and impressive country, often described as a "paradise" or a "land of peace." The full name of Brunei is "Brunei Darussalam" (meaning "Land of Peace"), located in the northwest of Borneo Island, and has been ruled by sultans since ancient times. After Islam was introduced in the 14th century, Brunei gradually rose and established a sultanate, reaching its peak in the early 15th to 16th centuries. In the mid-16th century, Western colonialists such as Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom successively invaded, leading to the gradual decline of the sultanate and the loss of its territory. In 1888, Brunei became a British "protectorate." In 1971, Brunei signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom, which stipulated that while defense and foreign affairs would continue to be handled by the United Kingdom, Brunei regained full internal autonomy. On January 1, 1984, Brunei declared independence and reclaimed full internal and external sovereignty. As a result, Brunei is still a young country with only 20 years of independence. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah declared upon independence that Brunei would forever remain a sovereign, democratic, and independent Malay Islamic monarchy. Since independence, the Brunei government has vigorously promoted "Malayization, Islamization, and Monarchy" policies to consolidate royal rule, prioritize the economic support of indigenous groups such as the Malay people, strictly uphold Islamic teachings while pursuing modernization, and address issues of unemployment and welfare. The domestic political situation remains stable, and social security is well-maintained. Brunei follows an independent foreign policy of non-alignment and friendship with all countries, considers its relationship with ASEAN as its foreign policy cornerstone, maintains close ties with Islamic countries, values its relations with major powers, and actively participates in regional and international affairs. Originally an economically poor and backward small country, Brunei underwent significant economic changes after oil was discovered in Seriawak in 1929. In the 1960s and 1970s, larger offshore oil and gas reserves were discovered, gradually transforming Brunei into a wealthy and impressive nation known as the "Eastern Kuwait." Oil and gas revenues account for 36% of GDP and 95% of export income. However, since oil and gas are non-renewable resources, to address the over-reliance on them and promote industrial and agricultural development, the Brunei government has recently accelerated efforts to diversify its economy and implemented a series of reforms, leading to structural changes in the economy. In particular, the construction industry has grown rapidly, becoming the second-largest industry after oil and gas. The garment industry has also developed significantly, becoming the second-largest export revenue source after oil and gas. In 2002, non-oil and gas industries accounted for nearly 63% of GDP. Brunei boasts beautiful scenery and unique tourist attractions. Among the existing attractions are the "Palace of the Century" known as the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque; the dazzling Sultan Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque; the Brunei Water Village, hailed as the "Venice of the East"; and Jerudong Park, which rivals Disneyland in the United States. The picturesque and rustic landscapes, spotless city streets, beautifully designed houses, and polite and courteous people all leave a deep impression. Brunei is truly a "paradise." China and Brunei are neighbors separated by the sea, with a long history of friendly exchanges. Relations between the two countries were particularly close during the Ming Dynasty's Yongle era. However, after Western colonialists invaded Brunei in the mid-16th century, exchanges between the two countries were interrupted. After Brunei gained independence in 1984, contacts and exchanges gradually resumed. In 1991, China and Brunei established diplomatic relations, and in 1993, they opened embassies and exchanged permanent ambassadors. One of the authors of this book had the privilege of serving as China's first permanent resident ambassador to Brunei, representing the "Land of Peace." As permanent residents at the Chinese embassy in Brunei, we have witnessed many aspects of the country that are little-known to the public. It is our duty and responsibility to introduce to readers our observations, impressions, and experiences during our four years of work and life in Brunei.