Brunei Delegates Participate in Southeast Asia Forum 2024 in Guangzhou

Guangzhou, The Gulf Observer: Dr. Haji Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Head of Brunei History Centre, and Dr. Mohammad Firdaus bin Abdul Rahman, President of the Brunei-China Friendship Association, recently represented Brunei at the Southeast Asia Forum 2024 International Conference. The event, organized by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at South China Normal University (SCNU), took place from November 15 to 17.

Promoting Regional Collaboration

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Mohammad Firdaus delivered a keynote address titled “Building Strong Foundations and Frameworks to Advance the Future of the China-ASEAN Community of Shared Destiny.” On November 17, Dr. Haji Muhammad Hadi contributed to a sub-forum with a presentation on “Brunei-China Relations: A Legacy of the Past for the Future.”

Both Brunei representatives presented books on Brunei-China historical ties and religious culture to the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, further strengthening academic and cultural collaboration.

Forum Highlights

The forum was guided by China’s Ministry of Education and SCNU’s Secretariat for International and Regional Studies. The theme, “Connectivity and Coordinated Development from the Linkage Perspective of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area-Hainan Free Trade Port-Southeast Asia,” brought together approximately 300 participants. Attendees included university presidents, academics, government officials, and business representatives from Southeast Asia and China.

Brunei and Southeast Asia in Focus

Founded in 2017, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is a key research institution registered under China’s Ministry of Education. The center has actively engaged with Brunei, conducting research visits in September 2023 and July 2024 to collaborate with local institutions such as Universiti Brunei Darussalam, the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies, and Chinese community associations.

The center aims to deepen its research on Brunei and Southeast Asia, fostering academic and cultural exchanges to promote regional development and connectivity.

The Southeast Asia Forum 2024 reinforced the importance of partnerships and shared initiatives in building stronger ties between China and ASEAN nations.