Guess why Xijinping delibrately AVOIDED Pee Sai Red Dot SG53 Summit Rather go PNG Brunie & Pinoy-Land?

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习主席19日出访活动精彩图集
2018-11-19 23:53:19 来源： 新华国际客户端


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11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。会谈开始前，习近平出席哈桑纳尔在王宫前广场举行的盛大欢迎仪式。这是在哈桑纳尔陪同下，习近平检阅仪仗队。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。这是会谈开始前，习近平出席哈桑纳尔在王宫前广场举行的盛大欢迎仪式。 新华社记者 燕雁 摄

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。这是会谈前，习近平同哈桑纳尔步入会场。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。这是习近平同哈桑纳尔亲切交谈。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄




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习近平同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈
2018-11-19 15:01:59 来源： 新华网

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11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。会谈开始前，习近平出席哈桑纳尔在王宫前广场举行的盛大欢迎仪式。这是在哈桑纳尔陪同下，习近平检阅仪仗队。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
新华社斯里巴加湾市11月19日电（记者霍小光　李建敏　魏建华）国家主席习近平19日在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。两国元首高度评价中文关系积极发展势头，一致决定建立中文战略合作伙伴关系，做政治互信、经济互利、人文互通、多边互助的好伙伴。
习近平高度赞赏哈桑纳尔长期关心和重视中文关系。习近平指出，这是我第一次到访文莱，文莱人民的热情友好、特别是沿途欢迎的青少年脸上洋溢的真挚友好笑容，令人感动。这是中文两国人民深厚友谊的真实写照。文莱政通人和，人民安居乐业，不愧“和平之邦”的美誉。中国和文莱历史文化联系悠久深厚。两国是隔海相望的近邻，也是相互信赖的朋友和伙伴。双方决定建立战略合作伙伴关系，就是要做政治互信、经济互利、人文互通、多边互助的好伙伴，让合作成果更好惠及两国人民。

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
习近平强调，双方要密切高层交往，为两国关系发展掌好舵。中方赞赏文方坚定奉行一个中国政策，将继续支持文莱走符合自身国情的发展道路。中方视文莱为建设21世纪海上丝绸之路重要合作伙伴，愿将“一带一路”倡议同文莱经济多元化战略“2035宏愿”相对接，做好两国互利合作大文章。中方欢迎文莱企业扩大对华出口，愿同文方加强基础设施建设、农业、渔业、能源等领域合作，分享数字经济、电子商务等新兴领域发展经验。双方要加强教育、文化、体育、卫生、旅游等领域合作，增进两国青年一代了解和友谊，扩大地方交流，加强司法、反恐、打击跨国犯罪等领域合作。要深化在联合国、亚太经合组织框架内的沟通协调和相互配合，携手推动中国－东盟关系和东亚合作实现更大发展。中国支持东盟东部增长区合作，支持东盟实现全面平衡发展。

　　11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。这是会谈开始前，习近平出席哈桑纳尔在王宫前广场举行的盛大欢迎仪式。 新华社记者 燕雁 摄
习近平指出，维护南海和平稳定事关中国和文莱切身利益，也是两国人民共同愿望。中方赞赏文方提出的双轨思路，即当事国通过友好协商处理争议，地区国家共同维护南海稳定。我们要持续推进海上合作和“南海行为准则”磋商，将南海建设成和平之海、友谊之海、合作之海。

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。这是会谈前，习近平同哈桑纳尔步入会场。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
哈桑纳尔表示，热烈欢迎习近平主席首次访问文莱，此访必将深化两国传统友好关系、加强两国各领域互利合作。文中友谊历史悠久，两国关系在相互尊重、互利共赢的基础上不断加强。很高兴习主席此访期间，两国关系提升到战略合作伙伴关系。文方坚定奉行一个中国政策，愿以习主席此访为契机，加强双方在贸易、投资、农业、旅游、教育、人文、司法协助等领域交流合作，促进两国人民福祉。文方钦佩中国在减贫、可持续发展等领域取得的巨大成就，愿加强“2035宏愿”战略同“一带一路”倡议对接合作。文莱高度评价中国在促进全球稳定繁荣、应对气候变化、维护多边贸易体制、推动区域经济一体化方面的重要作用，感谢中国支持东盟东部增长区合作，愿加强文中在国际和地区事务中的沟通和协调，推动东盟同中国合作不断深化。文莱对本地区国家通过对话协商共同维护南海地区和平稳定、推进海上合作感到高兴。

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
会谈后，两国元首见证了共建“一带一路”合作规划等双边合作文件的签署。
双方发表了《中华人民共和国和文莱达鲁萨兰国联合声明》。

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
会谈开始前，习近平出席哈桑纳尔在王宫前广场举行的盛大欢迎仪式。
11月的斯里巴加湾，碧海蓝天，风景如画。当天上午，文莱王储比拉来到中国代表团下榻处，迎请习近平。
王宫附近道路旁边，4000多名朝气蓬勃的当地中小学生挥舞中文两国国旗，热烈欢迎中国贵宾。
习近平抵达王宫时，哈桑纳尔在停车处热情迎接。两国元首登上检阅台。仪仗队行礼，军乐队奏中文两国国歌。现场鸣放21响礼炮。在哈桑纳尔陪同下，习近平检阅仪仗队。检阅毕，两国元首前往王宫内廷。习近平同文莱王室成员、主要官员及各国驻文莱使节握手。哈桑纳尔同中方陪同人员握手。

11月19日，国家主席习近平在斯里巴加湾同文莱苏丹哈桑纳尔举行会谈。这是习近平同哈桑纳尔亲切交谈。新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
习近平同文莱王室成员亲切交谈。习近平表示，衷心祝贺文莱经济社会发展取得的成就。一踏上这片和平美丽的土地，我就真切感受到苏丹陛下和王室以及文莱人民对中国人民的深情厚谊。中方赞赏文莱王室长期奉行对华友好政策，欢迎王室成员多到中国各地走走、看看。相信在双方共同努力下，中文传统友好将不断发扬光大，两国互利合作将不断取得丰硕成果。
丁薛祥、杨洁篪、王毅、何立峰等参加上述活动。
　　更多阅读：
　　中华人民共和国和文莱达鲁萨兰国联合声明

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President Xi’s 19 Visiting Events
2018-11-19 23:53:19 Source: Xinhua International Client


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On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Hassanal in the square in front of the palace. Accompanied by Hassanal, Xi Jinping reviewed the honor guard. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. This is before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Hassanal in the square in front of the palace. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Yan photo

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. This was before the talks, Xi Jinping and Hassanal stepped into the venue. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. This is Xi Jinping's cordial conversation with Hassanal. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo





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Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal
2018-11-19 15:01:59 Source: Xinhuanet


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On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Hassanal in the square in front of the palace. Accompanied by Hassanal, Xi Jinping reviewed the honor guard. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

Xinhua News Agency, Sri Bajiawan City, November 19 (Reporter Huo Xiaoguang, Li Jianmin, Wei Jianhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan on the 19th. The heads of state of the two countries spoke highly of the positive development momentum of Chinese relations and unanimously decided to establish a Chinese strategic partnership of cooperation and to be a good partner of political mutual trust, economic mutual benefit, humanities interoperability and multilateral mutual assistance.

Xi Jinping highly appreciated that Hassanal has long been concerned about and attached importance to Chinese relations. Xi Jinping pointed out that this is my first visit to Brunei. The warm and friendly people of Brunei, especially the friendly smiles on the faces of young people along the way, are moving. This is a true portrayal of the profound friendship between the Chinese and the Chinese people. Brunei's political and political people, the people live and work in peace and contentment, do not deserve the reputation of "state of peace." The historical and cultural links between China and Brunei are long and profound. The two countries are close neighbors across the sea and friends and partners who trust each other. The two sides decided to establish a strategic partnership of cooperation, that is, to be a good partner of political mutual trust, economic mutual benefit, humanities interoperability and multilateral mutual assistance, so that the cooperation results will better benefit the two peoples.

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

Xi Jinping emphasized that the two sides should close high-level exchanges and take the helm for the development of bilateral relations. The Chinese side appreciates the firm adherence to the one-China policy and will continue to support Brunei's development path in line with its own national conditions. The Chinese side regards Brunei as an important partner for the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is willing to link the "One Belt, One Road" initiative with the Brunei economic diversification strategy "2035 Hongyuan" and do a good job in the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese side welcomes Brunei enterprises to expand their exports to China. They are willing to strengthen cooperation in the areas of infrastructure construction, agriculture, fishery and energy with the Ministry of Literature and share development experiences in emerging fields such as digital economy and e-commerce. The two sides should strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, culture, sports, health, tourism, etc., enhance understanding and friendship between the younger generations of the two countries, expand local exchanges, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as justice, counter-terrorism, and combating transnational crime. It is necessary to deepen communication, coordination and mutual cooperation within the framework of the UN and APEC, and work together to promote greater development of China-ASEAN relations and East Asian cooperation. China supports ASEAN's eastern growth zone cooperation and supports ASEAN in achieving comprehensive and balanced development.

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. This is before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Hassanal in the square in front of the palace. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Yan photo

Xi Jinping pointed out that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is a matter of the interests of China and Brunei. It is also the common aspiration of the two peoples. The Chinese side appreciates the two-track approach proposed by the Chinese side, that is, the parties concerned handle disputes through friendly consultations, and regional countries jointly safeguard the stability of the South China Sea. We must continue to promote maritime cooperation and the "South China Sea Code of Conduct" consultations, and build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, a sea of friendship, and a sea of cooperation.

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. This was before the talks, Xi Jinping and Hassanal stepped into the venue. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

Hassanal said that he warmly welcomes President Xi Jinping's first visit to Brunei. This visit will deepen the traditional friendly relations between the two countries and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. The friendship between the two countries has a long history, and the relations between the two countries have been continuously strengthened on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. I am very pleased that during President Xi’s visit, the relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a strategic partnership. The Chinese side firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to take President Xi's visit as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, education, humanities and judicial assistance, and promote the well-being of the two peoples. The Chinese side admires China's tremendous achievements in poverty reduction and sustainable development, and is willing to strengthen the "2035 ambition" strategy and the "One Belt, One Road" initiative. Brunei spoke highly of China's important role in promoting global stability and prosperity, coping with climate change, maintaining the multilateral trading system, and promoting regional economic integration. We thank China for supporting the ASEAN's eastern growth zone cooperation and would like to strengthen the communication between the two countries in international and regional affairs. And coordination to promote the deepening of cooperation between ASEAN and China. Brunei is pleased that the countries of the region have jointly safeguarded peace and stability in the South China Sea region and promoted maritime cooperation through dialogue and consultation.

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents such as the "One Belt, One Road" cooperation plan.

The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam".

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Hassanal in the square in front of the palace.

In November, the bay of Bandar Seri Bega, blue sky and blue sky, picturesque. On the morning of the same day, Brunei Crown Prince Bila came to the Chinese delegation to welcome Xi Jinping.

Next to the road near the palace, more than 4,000 prominent elementary and middle school students waved the Chinese national flag and warmly welcomed Chinese guests.

When Xi Jinping arrived at the palace, Hassanal greeted him at the parking place. The heads of state of the two countries boarded the review desk. The honor guards performed the ceremony and the military band played the national anthems of the two countries. A 21-gun salute was fired on the spot. Accompanied by Hassanal, Xi Jinping reviewed the honor guard. After reviewing the two heads of state, they went to the inner court of the palace. Xi Jinping shook hands with members of the Brunei royal family, key officials and national envoys in Brunei. Hassanal shook hands with the Chinese companions.

On November 19th, President Xi Jinping held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal in Bandar Seri Begawan. This is Xi Jinping's cordial conversation with Hassanal. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

Xi Jinping had a cordial conversation with members of the Brunei royal family. Xi Jinping said that he sincerely congratulated Brunei on its achievements in economic and social development. As soon as I set foot on this peaceful and beautiful land, I really felt the deep friendship between His Majesty the Sultan and the royal family and the Brunei people for the Chinese people. The Chinese side appreciates the Brunei royal family's long-term policy of friendship with China and welcomes members of the royal family to visit and look around China. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, the traditional Chinese friendship will continue to flourish, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will continue to achieve fruitful results.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng, etc. participated in the above activities.

Read more:

Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and Brunei Darussalam

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Brunei oil and gas also going to Habis Xi is not there to buy oil.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/dip...na-coming-bruneis-aid-its-oil-slowly-runs-out

Why China is coming to Brunei’s aid as its oil slowly runs out

Beijing sees the state on the coast of Borneo as a potentially key ally as it stakes its claim to waters in the South China Sea, according to analysts

PUBLISHED : Monday, 05 March, 2018, 3:25pm
UPDATED : Tuesday, 06 March, 2018, 11:10pm

Comments: 8

14 Nov 2018

On a tiny island off Brunei’s northern tip on the South China Sea, thousands of Chinese workers are building a refinery and petrochemical complex, along with a bridge connecting it to the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
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When completed, the first phase of the US$3.4 billion complex on Muara Besar island, run by China’s Hengyi Group, will be Brunei’s largest-ever foreign investment project and comes at a time when the oil-dependent country needs it the most.
Brunei’s oil and gas reserves are expected to run out within two decades. As production falls, oil firms will not be investing much in existing facilities, further hampering output, oil analysts say. As a result, the country’s oil revenues, which provide virtually all of Brunei’s government spending, are in steady decline.
With youth unemployment rising, Brunei’s ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, is trying to quickly reform the economy and diversify its sources of income, while fighting graft and cracking down on dissent.
Brunei’s changing fortunes have been reflected in its financial industry. HSBC pulled out of Brunei last year, while Citibank exited in 2014 after 41 years. Bank of China, meanwhile, opened its first branch in the sultanate in December 2016.
Golden jubilee: Brunei celebrates 50 years at throne for sultan of bling
The Muara Besar project is promising more than 10,000 jobs, at least half of which would go to fresh graduates, media reports in Brunei said. But claims that thousands of Chinese workers have been shipped in to build the complex has angered some residents.
“There are no jobs for us, so why create some for the Chinese?” asked one shopkeeper in the capital city.
Hengyi Industries, the local company building the refinery, did not respond to requests for comment. The company, founded in 2011 and based in Bandar Seri Begawan, expects to complete the first phase of the refinery and petrochemical complex on Muara Besar by the end of the year, according to its website.

A US$12 billion second phase would expand the refinery capacity to 281,150 barrels per day and build units to produce 1.5 million tonnes per year of ethylene and 2 million tonnes per year of paraxylene, the company said last month.
Total Chinese investment in Brunei is estimated at US$4.1 billion, according to the American Enterprise Institute’s China Global investment tracker.

That will almost certainly rise as China ramps up its “Belt and Road Initiative”. Sometimes called the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road, it envisages linking China with Southeast Asia, Africa and Eurasia through a complex network of ports, roads, railways and industrial estates.
“Brunei is an important country along the 21st century Maritime Silk Road,” Chinese ambassador to Brunei Yang Jian said at the opening ceremony in February 2017 for a joint venture, running Brunei’s largest container terminal.
Meet Brunei’s super-rich, polo-playing pilot prince with 733,000 followers ... and counting
Accumulated US foreign investment in Brunei, by contrast, was just US$116 million in 2012, the latest figures available, according to the US State Department.
China has invested about US$205 billion in East Asia between 2010 and 2017, according to the China Global investment tracker.
It has been increasing those investments while tussling with four other Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, over competing claims to islets and atolls in the South China Sea.
“Building good relations and offering big investments are part of China’s strategy to split Southeast Asian nations to ensure there is no consensus on South China Sea matters,” said Jatswan Singh, associate professor at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, who has written four books on Brunei.
“The sultanate is hard-pressed for investments to diversify its economy and in this sense the Chinese investments are important to [Brunei],” he said. Brunei has not commented publicly about its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
There was a time not so long ago, with oil prices over US$100 a barrel, when Brunei citizens could care less about jobs at a refinery.

Squeezed between two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo, Brunei provided cradle-to-grave benefits for its 420,000 citizens, including zero taxes, subsidised housing and free education and health care.
But the sultan has had to whittle back some of those benefits – Brunei has been in recession for three straight years – and tighten up the ship of state.
The 71-year-old Bolkiah, the world’s second-longest reigning monarch, reshuffled his cabinet again last month, replacing six top ministers – just over a couple of years after they were appointed. No explanation was given.
China woos rival claimant Brunei as it seeks allies ahead of tribunal ruling on territorial disputes in South China Sea
Sources close to the government and foreign diplomats say Bolkiah wanted to weed out corruption and address grumbling among the Malay-Muslim majority who are unhappy with the pullback in welfare programmes, budget cuts and unemployment.
In the last available official report in 2014, the unemployment rate was put at 6.9 per cent. Unofficial figures suggest youth unemployment could be as high as 15 per cent.
“A majority in Brunei expect a job in the government, state-linked firms or in the oil and gas sector, but all three have been hit pretty hard,” one Western diplomat said.
Bolkiah, who is also the prime minister, controls the key portfolios of defence, finance and foreign affairs.
The sultan’s office did not respond to a request for comment and newly appointed ministers refused to comment during National Day celebrations last week.

But the sultan is still popular. He marked 50 years in power in October, with a glittering procession through the capital on a gilded chariot, cheered by well-wishers.
But in the long run, an economy based on dwindling single source of income could erode the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, said Muang Zarni, democracy advocate and a former research fellow at the London School of Economics.
“That doesn’t mean that will translate into street protests, but Bruneians know things are not as rosy as they appear in the sultan’s newspapers and TV channels,” said Zarni, who quit the University Brunei Darussalam in 2013 over what he said was a lack of academic freedom.





This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: As Western banks quit, Beijing offers lifeline to Brunei

 

[tun_dr_m]

https://thediplomat.com/2016/02/bruneis-economy-running-on-empty/

Brunei’s Economy Running on Empty
With oil prices dropping, the sultanate is rapidly approaching a crisis.

By Matthew Prusak
February 17, 2016







With the price of oil at record lows, the small Southeast Asian nation of Brunei is quickly becoming the first oil-rich country to fall victim to an economic reliance on the energy industry. The hydrocarbon-dependent sultanate of 420,000 people now stands on the precipice of an economic calamity. At the apex of its 2008-2015 financial crisis, Greece’s budget deficit was equal to 15.7 percent of its GDP. For the 2015-2016 fiscal year, Brunei is currently on track to report a fiscal deficit valued at 16 percent of its GDP. With economic stagnation inevitable, the likelihood that the country will remain one of Asia’s richest states grows increasingly slim.
This fall from the top is all the more astonishing given the country’s current affluence. By GDP (PPP) per capita, Brunei ranks as the 4th wealthiest country in the world, according to the IMF. Due to many years of soaring demand for its vast energy resources, this small sovereign state the size of Delaware has known no end to its oil-fueled largesse, having no income tax or sales tax for locals, offering free education through university, and subsidizing housing.
But the good times are long gone: The global price for a barrel of oil has plummeted 40 percent since January 2015 and 78 percent since its peak value in 2008. Since more than 95 percent of Brunei’s exports are oil- and gas-related, for the past three years in a row Brunei’s GDP has contracted.
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This has resulted in acute strain on the country’s finances. Income from hydrocarbons comprises 90 percent of government revenue – as such government earnings have already dropped about 70 percent compared to the 2012/2013 fiscal year. Despite having already trimmed the $6.4 billion 2015/2016 budget by roughly 4 percent compared to last year, further spending cuts are widely expected.
Brunei’s generous social contract greased by oil money is unlikely to last much longer in the face of yawning deficits. Such reductions are likely to anger the public, accustomed as they are to decades of benefits stemming from free-flowing oil revenue. The Sultan, a lavish spender with an estimated net worth of $27 billion, may soon find himself in the uncomfortable position of explaining the need for economic austerity to his citizens. Any resulting instability would only further hinder the country’s ability to attract foreign investment.
While Brunei has announced a development plan – Vision Brunei 2035 – to build other parts of its economy. Thus far there is little to show for it. Rather than focus on efforts to build sectors outside of the oil and gas industry, Brunei has chosen to pump even more oil.
The Sultan recently pointed to several big-ticket infrastructure projects in his New Year’s Eve address, but such construction efforts do little to abate foreign concerns over obstacles to operating within Brunei. The World Bank ranks Brunei 84th in terms of ease of doing business, well below the regional (Asia & Pacific) average of 61. And with an estimated 70-80 percent of the country’s citizens employed by the government or government-linked institutions, according to FT Confidential Research, there is limited hope for an internally-driven economic expansion.
Attempts to double down on Islamic finance have been stymied by neighboring Malaysia, a robust hub of Islamic banking itself, and Indonesia, which is rapidly building up its own financial industry. As for any optimism about developing tourism, the recent imposition of Sharia law might give holidaymakers pause about visiting a country that has banned both alcohol and Christmas.
Moreover, the currency remains pegged one-to-one with the Singaporean dollar, causing Brunei to be one of the region’s most expensive places to live and work – even in the face of its sluggish economy. Maintaining such a costly exchange rate will only further exacerbate development difficulties given the country’s current economic headwinds.
The flight of foreign labor and capital should not be the only concern of policymakers; faced with dismal economic prospects at home, Brunei’s own skilled laborers may consider opportunities in places that are free of moralist government intervention. Unless Brunei can quickly find a way to outperform its “middle-income” neighbors such as Malaysia and Thailand and reassure its own people of its place in Southeast Asia’s firmament, it will find itself in dire straits. Perhaps the recently signed Trans-Pacific Partnership will help provide economic salvation, but as the smallest economy of the twelve nations in talks, the negotiated outcomes are unlikely to be in Brunei’s favor.
The clock is ticking for Brunei to achieve its planned goal of a “dynamic, sustainable economy” by 2035. According to the BP World Energy Outlook, Brunei’s oil reserves are projected to run out in 22 years. The repercussions will be felt far sooner.
Matthew Prusak lives in Southeast Asia, where he consults for various companies and nonprofit organizations.

 

[KuanTi01]

Peesai is a US ally to all intents and purposes and rich enough to be kwailan unlike the Philippines which is a formal ally but impoverished. Brunei has oil! Peesai only has peesai and alot of kpkb!

 

[Tony Tan]

李显龙是狗汉奸!剥皮挖眼!剁了喂鲨鱼!

 

[whoami]

Peesai is a US ally to all intents and purposes and rich enough to be kwailan unlike the Philippines which is a formal ally but impoverished. Brunei has oil! Peesai only has peesai and alot of kpkb!

Very true. Just like those 70% kpkb here 24/7 yet voted for MIW

 

[tun_dr_m]

http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/leaders/2018-11/20/c_1123740658.htm



习近平抵达马尼拉 开始对菲律宾共和国进行国事访问
2018-11-20 14:08:10 来源： 新华网

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11月20日，国家主席习近平抵达马尼拉，开始对菲律宾共和国进行国事访问。这是习近平在机场受到菲律宾政府高级官员热情迎接。 新华社记者 谢环驰 摄
新华社马尼拉11月20日电（记者杨柯　黄尹甲子）国家主席习近平20日抵达马尼拉，开始对菲律宾共和国进行国事访问。
当地时间上午11时45分许，习近平乘坐专机抵达马尼拉阿基诺国际机场。习近平步出舱门，菲律宾政府高级官员在舷梯旁热情迎接，军乐队奏迎宾曲。礼兵分列红地毯两侧。菲律宾青年向习近平献上茉莉花环。

11月20日，国家主席习近平抵达马尼拉，开始对菲律宾共和国进行国事访问。这是习近平在机场受到菲律宾政府高级官员热情迎接。 新华社记者 谢环驰 摄
习近平代表中国政府和中国人民向菲律宾政府和人民致以诚挚问候和良好祝愿。习近平指出，中菲两国一衣带水，是地缘相近、血缘相亲、文缘相通的友好邻邦。杜特尔特总统执政以来，在双方共同努力下，中菲友好合作的大门重新打开，给两国人民带来了切实利益，为地区和平、稳定、繁荣作出了重要贡献。中菲同为亚洲发展中国家和新兴经济体，睦邻友好是两国唯一正确选择。访问期间，我期待同菲律宾领导人就加强中菲关系及共同关心的国际和地区问题深入交换意见。相信这次访问必将达到巩固传统友谊、深化互利合作、携手共同发展的目标，为中菲睦邻友好关系注入新的强大动力，造福两国人民。

11月20日，国家主席习近平抵达马尼拉，开始对菲律宾共和国进行国事访问。这是习近平在机场受到菲律宾政府高级官员热情迎接。 新华社记者 黄敬文 摄
丁薛祥、杨洁篪、王毅、何立峰等陪同人员同机抵达。
中国驻菲律宾大使赵鉴华也到机场迎接。

11月20日，国家主席习近平抵达马尼拉，开始对菲律宾共和国进行国事访问。这是习近平在机场向欢迎人群挥手致意。 新华社记者 丁林 摄
习近平是在结束对文莱国事访问后飞赴马尼拉的。当天上午，习近平乘专机离开斯里巴加湾。文莱政府高级官员到机场送行。

点击查看专题

​

 

[tun_dr_m]

http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2018-11/20/c_1123743117.htm
​

新华网> 高层> 正文

习近平同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈
2018-11-20 20:34:07 来源： 新华网

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11月20日，国家主席习近平在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。会谈开始前，习近平出席杜特尔特在总统府前草坪举行的隆重欢迎仪式。这是习近平在杜特尔特陪同下沿红地毯检阅仪仗队。 新华社记者 黄敬文 摄
新华社马尼拉11月20日电（记者陈瑶　霍小光　骆珺）国家主席习近平20日在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。两国元首共同规划双边关系未来发展，达成重要共识，一致决定在相互尊重、坦诚相待、平等互利、合作共赢基础上建立中菲全面战略合作关系。
习近平指出，很高兴如约来到菲律宾访问，菲律宾人民的热情欢迎、特别是孩子们欢快的笑容令人感动。中菲两国是交往千年的近邻，睦邻友好、合作共赢是双方唯一正确选择。两年来，我和总统先生6次会晤，就中菲关系和共同关心的问题深入交流，巩固了共识，增进了友谊。在双方共同努力下，两国各领域合作成果丰硕，中菲关系翻开新篇章，给两国人民带来福祉，为地区和平稳定作出了贡献。中方愿同菲方传承友谊，深化合作，让两国永远做好邻居、好朋友、好伙伴，共享发展繁荣。

11月20日，国家主席习近平在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。 新华社记者 谢环驰 摄
习近平强调，双方决定建立中菲全面战略合作关系，符合两国民众期待，适应双边关系发展要求。双方要加强两国元首对双边关系的战略引领，推动各层级往来，增强战略互信。中方支持菲律宾走适合本国国情的发展道路。双方要把安全、发展、人文三大支柱领域合作扎扎实实推向深入。中方坚定支持菲律宾禁毒和反恐事业，将继续在力所能及范围内向菲律宾提供支持，帮助菲律宾开展更多减贫等社会民生项目，扩大教育、文化、旅游等交流合作，打造增进两国人民了解和友谊的新舞台。菲律宾是中国共建“一带一路”的重要伙伴。双方要深化“一带一路”倡议同菲律宾发展战略对接，加强基础设施建设、电信、农业等领域合作。
习近平指出，中菲在南海有广泛共同利益，可以继续通过友好协商管控分歧，推进海上务实合作，为地区和平稳定和人民福祉作出应有贡献。中方支持菲律宾履行中国－东盟关系协调国和中国－东盟东部增长区合作协调国职责，愿同菲方携手推动中国－东盟关系优化升级，推动东亚合作得到更大发展。中菲同为亚洲新兴市场经济体，要加强在地区和国际事务中协调合作。

11月20日，国家主席习近平在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。会谈开始前，习近平出席杜特尔特在总统府前草坪举行的隆重欢迎仪式。 新华社记者 丁林 摄
杜特尔特表示，热烈欢迎习近平主席对菲律宾进行国事访问。这是中国国家主席13年来首次到访，具有历史性意义，是两国关系的重要里程碑，将掀开两国伙伴合作的新篇章。菲方祝贺中国改革发展40年取得的成就，相信中国人民一定可以实现“两个一百年”的奋斗目标。菲方愿继续在相互尊重、相互理解、主权平等的基础上同中方深化全面战略合作关系，加强贸易、投资、农业、防务、卫生、禁毒、改善民生、基础设施建设、能源等领域合作，扩大教育、人力资源等人文交流。菲方赞同本地区国家共同维护南海和平稳定，愿积极促进东盟同中国关系发展。在处理国际事务中，中国是站在历史的正确一边。菲方愿密切同中方在联合国等多边框架内沟通协调。

11月20日，国家主席习近平在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。会谈开始前，习近平出席杜特尔特在总统府前草坪举行的隆重欢迎仪式。这是习近平在杜特尔特陪同下沿红地毯检阅仪仗队。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
会谈后，两国元首共同见证了《中华人民共和国政府与菲律宾共和国政府关于共同推进“一带一路”建设的谅解备忘录》、《中华人民共和国政府与菲律宾共和国政府关于油气开发合作的谅解备忘录》等多项双边合作文件的签署。
两国元首共同会见了记者。
会谈开始前，习近平出席杜特尔特在总统府前草坪举行的隆重欢迎仪式。

11月20日，国家主席习近平在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。会谈开始前，习近平出席杜特尔特在总统府前草坪举行的隆重欢迎仪式。这是仪式结束后，两国元首共同前往总统府主楼。 新华社记者 鞠鹏 摄
马尼拉椰树摇曳，海风拂面。总统府外，高高悬挂着中菲两国国旗。道路两旁，千名当地少年儿童挥舞着两国国旗，向习近平热情欢呼。一张张天真烂漫的笑脸，洋溢着对中菲关系美好未来的期盼。
菲律宾总统府充满庄严、隆重、热烈的气氛。当地时间下午4时40分许，习近平乘车抵达总统府，受到杜特尔特热情迎接。两国元首登上检阅台。仪仗队行持枪礼。鼓手敲起激昂的鼓点，号手吹响迎宾的号声。军乐队奏中菲两国国歌。现场鸣放21响礼炮。习近平在杜特尔特陪同下沿红地毯检阅仪仗队。检阅毕，习近平同菲方主要官员握手，杜特尔特同中方陪同人员握手。两国元首共同前往总统府主楼。沿途，当地艺术家伴着菲律宾传统竹管弦乐翩翩起舞，悠扬的乐声、曼妙的舞姿吸引两国元首不时驻足欣赏。

11月20日，国家主席习近平在马尼拉同菲律宾总统杜特尔特举行会谈。这是会谈后，两国元首共同会见记者。 新华社记者 谢环驰 摄
丁薛祥、杨洁篪、王毅、何立峰等出席上述活动。
当天下午，习近平还向菲律宾国父黎刹纪念碑敬献花圈。

点击查看专题

​

Http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2018-11/20/c_1123743117.htm


Xinhuanet > Senior > Text

Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Philippine President Duterte

2018-11-20 20:34:07 Source: Xinhuanet


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On November 20th, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila. Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Duterte on the lawn in front of the presidential palace. This is Xi Jinping's review of the honor guard along the red carpet accompanied by Duterte. Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Jingwen photo

Xinhua News Agency, Manila, November 20 (Reporter Chen Yao, Huo Xiaoguang, Luo Wei) Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila on the 20th. The two heads of state jointly planned the future development of bilateral relations, reached important consensus, and unanimously decided to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship between China and the Philippines on the basis of mutual respect, honesty, equality and mutual benefit, and cooperation and mutual benefit.

Xi Jinping pointed out that he was very happy to visit the Philippines as scheduled. The warm welcome of the Filipino people, especially the cheerful smiles of the children, was moving. China and the Philippines are close neighbors of thousands of years of exchanges. Good neighborliness, friendship and win-win cooperation are the only correct choices for both sides. In the past two years, I have met with the President six times and exchanged views on China-Philippines relations and issues of common concern, consolidating consensus and enhancing friendship. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, the two countries have achieved fruitful cooperation in various fields. The relationship between China and the Philippines has opened a new chapter, bringing benefits to the two peoples and contributing to regional peace and stability. China is willing to inherit friendship with the Philippine side and deepen cooperation so that the two countries will always be good neighbors, good friends and good partners to share development and prosperity.

On November 20th, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila. Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi photo

Xi Jinping emphasized that the two sides decided to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship between China and the Philippines, in line with the expectations of the two countries and adapt to the development requirements of bilateral relations. The two sides should strengthen the strategic leadership of the two heads of state on bilateral relations, promote exchanges at all levels, and enhance strategic mutual trust. China supports the Philippines in taking a development path that suits its national conditions. The two sides should push forward the cooperation in the three pillars of security, development and humanities. China firmly supports the Philippines' anti-drug and anti-terrorism undertakings and will continue to provide support to the Philippines within its ability to help the Philippines to carry out more social and livelihood projects such as poverty alleviation and expand exchanges and cooperation in education, culture and tourism to create an understanding and friendship between the two peoples. New stage. The Philippines is an important partner for China to build a “Belt and Road” initiative. The two sides should deepen the "One Belt, One Road" initiative to link with the Philippines' development strategy and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction, telecommunications, and agriculture.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the Philippines have broad common interests in the South China Sea and can continue to manage differences through friendly consultations, promote pragmatic cooperation at sea, and make due contributions to regional peace and stability and people's well-being. China supports the Philippines in fulfilling the responsibilities of the China-ASEAN relations coordinating country and the China-ASEAN eastern growth zone cooperation and coordinating country. It is willing to work with the Philippines to promote the optimization and upgrading of China-ASEAN relations and promote greater development of East Asian cooperation. China and the Philippines are both emerging market economies in Asia, and we must strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs.

On November 20th, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila. Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Duterte on the lawn in front of the presidential palace. Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Lin photo

Duterte said that he warmly welcomes President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Philippines. This is the first time that the Chinese President has visited in 13 years. It is of historic significance and an important milestone in the relations between the two countries. It will open a new chapter in the cooperation between the two countries. The Philippine side congratulated China on its achievements in the 40 years of reform and development. It is believed that the Chinese people will be able to achieve the goal of "two hundred years." The Philippine side is willing to continue to deepen its comprehensive strategic cooperative relations with China on the basis of mutual respect, mutual understanding and sovereign equality, and strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, defense, sanitation, drug control, improvement of people's livelihood, infrastructure construction, and energy, and expand Humanities exchanges such as education and human resources. The Philippine side agrees that the countries of the region will jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and will actively promote the development of relations between ASEAN and China. In dealing with international affairs, China is on the right side of history. The Philippine side is willing to closely communicate and coordinate with China in a multilateral framework such as the United Nations.

On November 20th, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila. Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Duterte on the lawn in front of the presidential palace. This is Xi Jinping's review of the honor guard along the red carpet accompanied by Duterte. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on jointly promoting the construction of the "Belt and Road", and the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on Oil and Gas Development Cooperation". Signing of bilateral cooperation documents.

The two heads of state met with reporters.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Duterte on the lawn in front of the presidential palace.

On November 20th, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila. Before the talks, Xi Jinping attended the grand welcoming ceremony held by Duterte on the lawn in front of the presidential palace. After the ceremony, the two heads of state jointly went to the main building of the presidential palace. Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Peng photo

Manila palm trees sway, sea breeze noodles. Outside the presidential palace, the flags of China and the Philippines are hung high. On both sides of the road, thousands of local children and children waved the flags of the two countries and warmly greeted Xi Jinping. A piece of innocent smile is filled with the expectation of a bright future for China-Philippines relations.

The Philippine Presidential Palace is full of solemn, grand and warm atmosphere. At 4:40 pm local time, Xi Jinping arrived at the presidential palace by car and was warmly welcomed by Duterte. The heads of state of the two countries boarded the review desk. The ceremonial team held a gun ceremony. The drummer knocked on the drums, and the trumpeter blew the welcome. The military band played the national anthem of the two countries. A 21-gun salute was fired on the spot. Xi Jinping accompanied the Duterte to review the honor guard along the red carpet. After reviewing, Xi Jinping shook hands with the main officials of the Philippines, and Duterte shook hands with the Chinese companions. The two heads of state jointly went to the main building of the presidential palace. Along the way, local artists danced with the traditional bamboo orchestra of the Philippines, and the melodious music and graceful dance attracted the heads of state of the two countries to stop and appreciate.

On November 20th, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Philippine President Duterte in Manila. After the talks, the two heads of state met with reporters. Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi photo

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng, etc. attended the above activities.

In the afternoon, Xi Jinping also presented a wreath to the Philippine father Rachel Memorial.

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[Hypocrite-The]

Who cares if ah tiong Winnie comes to singkieland or not? The ah tiongs here are already making it worse for singkies. Don't need their head honchos to come here too

 

[syed putra]

BRunei oil extraction maybe falling. But its gas exports are rising.
But unlike malaysia, where contractors must jv with locals for oil and gas contracts, in brunei, shell the biggest company in brunei, can go direct bypassing local businesses.
Shell save on costs and possible delays by doing this. But in brunei,no expertise wwre passed to locals to create new jobs and businesses in oil and gas unlike in malaysia, where locals now own rigs and can build their own platforms and ships and are mow exporting this expertise to mexico, brazil, and africa.

 

[Ang4MohTrump]

BRunei oil extraction maybe falling. But its gas exports are rising.
But unlike malaysia, where contractors must jv with locals for oil and gas contracts, in brunei, shell the biggest company in brunei, can go direct bypassing local businesses.
Shell save on costs and possible delays by doing this. But in brunei,no expertise wwre passed to locals to create new jobs and businesses in oil and gas unlike in malaysia, where locals now own rigs and can build their own platforms and ships and are mow exporting this expertise to mexico, brazil, and africa.

By 2024/2025 ALL OIL & GAS will be empty in Brunei.

The oil will be finished 1st then gas will follow within a year.

They are slowing down production to buy themselves time.

 

[koonk1ng]

Hmm, not sure if this relates to Duterte missing a few major talks during Asean summit.

 

[syed putra]

By 2024/2025 ALL OIL & GAS will be empty in Brunei.

The oil will be finished 1st then gas will follow within a year.

They are slowing down production to buy themselves time.

Thats rubbish. They found new deep seal gas deposit in block L and M just waiting for pipes etc to be built and exported

 

[Ang4MohTrump]

Thats rubbish. They found new deep seal gas deposit in block L and M just waiting for pipes etc to be built and exported

Entire land and sea territory of Brunei had long been thoroughly scan and explored for resources.

They as just desperately squeezing out every drop of resources.

This is not only for just Brunei but also for entire globe.

Shale Oil is the best example. When man 1st explored oil, even gas were deemed too unworthy to collect and they were just burn away at the site to avoid explosion risks. Only oil were collected. And in fact they were selective initially. Only so call good quality choice oil were chosen. The rest were abandoned. That was about only a century ago.

Then when oil prices hiked. Men became more greedy and desperate and begin to collect everything they can. Oil & Gas all. Good one bad one, quality ones and cheapo ones. All wanted and not enough some more.

Shale Oil were not only hard to extract, they need to pump very ultra toxic chemical in huge volume into earth to extract it and high pressure to fragment and destroy Shale layers's structures to get oil. These bastards will intoxicate planet and damage to 1000X worse extend with so call NEW TECHNOLOGIES & TECHNIQUES.

Previously deem uneconomical to produce certain resources and were abandoned, now desperate man will find new ways to extract them all. And FOR EACH RESOURCE THEY SQUANDERED, THERE IS ONE LESS ON PLANET. THERE IS PERMANENT DAMAGES.

Resources that took planet earth hundred billions years to generate and accumulate, were squandered and turned rapidly into toxic wastes by man within just 1 or 2 centuries and ALL WILL BE GONE ONE BY ONE IN NO TIME.

Methane clathrate or Methane Hydrate or Combustible Ice is yet another example. Previously discovered long ago and deemed too low in economical values and no technologies were available to extract / collect them economically. Because by weight, most of it are just water. Or ICE. Methane gas trapped inside of ICE-KACANG



Only now that Chinese developed their own extraction technology and process to extract the ICE-KACANG. Throwing away the water and liquefy the methane to pump on ship or pipeline to bring ashore.

This technology of Xijinping is what Pee Sai Peasants call ICE-KACANG WITHOUT ICE aka 红豆冰不要冰 Ice Kacang Mai Seng! Ate away only the red beans and dumped all the ice!


http://www.atimes.com/article/wells-run-dry-brunei/

When the wells run dry in Brunei
Low global fuel prices have eroded the sultanate's standard of living and raised hard new questions about Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's absolutist rule

By David Hutt, @davidhuttjourno April 26, 2017 4:21 PM (UTC+8)

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Photo: Getty Images



While boom and bust cycles have frequently ravaged Southeast Asia’s economies, the small sultanate of Brunei has been mostly insulated from financial fallout. But a sustained slump in global energy prices has taken a heavy toll on the fuel-exporting nation, raising hard questions about its economic and political future.
The strict Islamic sultanate, whose half a million residents enjoy one of the highest purchasing power parity rates in the world, has traditionally looked to the Middle East or the wider Muslim world for economic deals and linkages. As the oil price slump has hit those traditional patrons, Brunei finds itself on an economic island.

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For decades Brunei rode the riches of its substantial oil and gas wealth. More than 60% of the tiny nation’s GDP is derived from oil and gas, which has recently accounted for 95% of its total exports and as much as 90% of government revenue, according to official statistics. It is regarded on many metrics as Southeast Asia’s second wealthiest nation, after Singapore, and has achieved “developed world” status.

A skyline view of Brunei’s capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. Photo: Getty Images

When global oil prices first started their descent in 2015, Brunei’s exported-geared economy and oil-dependent finances faltered. Last year Brunei’s fiscal deficit hit a 16% of GDP, a sharp break from past balanced budgets. In 2011, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognized Brunei as one of only two countries in the world with public debt equal to 0% of GDP. (Libya was the other).
Even before the oil price slump, certain economic cracks were emerging. Government projections of 6% or higher GDP growth have fallen short of the mark in recent years, raising questions about the government’s economic diversification schemes. In 2010, independent experts started to warn that Brunei’s hydrocarbon resources could run dry as early as 2025.
Brunei’s Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, has ruled the small nation in absolutist fashion since his father’s abdication in 1967. The 70-year-old became prime minister when Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984 and now concurrently serves as minister of finance and defense over an appointed legislature. Only one election has ever been held in Brunei, in 1962, the result of which was rejected.

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah next to Queen Saleha at a celebration in Nurul Iman palace in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, August 15, 2015. Photo: Reuters/Ahim Rani

Forbes estimated Hassanal’s peak net worth at over US$20 billion in 2008. It is unclear how the oil price slump has impacted on his personal wealth. He resides in what has been characterized as the largest private residence in the world.
Hassanal is pursuing a long-term plan, known as ‘Vision Brunei 2035’, to transform the country into an “Islamic-Singapore” and reduce its reliance on energy exports. Certain gains have been made. Higher domestic food production has eased dependence on imports, while a new framework designed to attract foreign investment has shown signs of traction. In the World Bank’s latest ease of doing business survey, Brunei moved up 25 places year on year in the global ranking.
At the same time, it’s not clear that Hassanal’s master plan will have done enough to sustain the sultanate’s high standard of living when its energy resources are depleted. When that might happen is an open question. While limits were placed on annual extraction amounts in the late-2000s, recent years have seen an increase in production that some experts warn could cause wells to run dry even earlier than 2025.
Those concerns are reflected in fiscal belt-tightening. The state’s 2017 budget was recently slashed by more than US$100 million, while the government has frozen new staff hires for the bureaucracy. Certain civil servant benefits, traditionally among the world’s richest with generous housing, electricity and petroleum subsidies, have been cut, according to local media reports. The state is the sultanate’s largest employer.
Belt-tightening and a slipping standard of living have elicited rare ripples of political dissent, according to political analysts.

A fruits and vegetable at the market in Brunei’s capital city of Bandar seri Begawan. Photo: Getty Images

“In the past, very few of its citizens have had any real issue with the largely one-party system as the Sultan and his government were largely benign in their management of the day-to-day affairs of their people,” Christopher Roberts, director of the National Asian Security Studies Program at the University of New South Wales, told Asia Times.
In Brunei’s authoritarian context, where freedom of speech is highly restricted and public protests strictly forbidden, it can be difficult to detect dissent. Social media has provided new space to critique the government, and Bruneians have done so in greater numbers as the economy has weakened. One anonymity-fueled platform, Chrends, was knocked offline by authorities for undisclosed reasons in 2015.
Hassanal’s controversial announcement in 2013 that Brunei would become the first East Asian country to introduce Sharia law at the national level is also believed to be fueling quiet discontent. The first of three phased implementations came into force in 2014 which introduced custodial punishments for indecent behavior, failure to attend Friday prayers and sexual matters.

Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah speaks during an Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, October 10, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha

Sharia “is just being exploited as a tool of the state to control the masses in the longer term, particularly if the government’s performance legitimacy continues to decline,” said Roberts. Journalists and academics have said in press accounts that they self-censor themselves more since the introduction of the law.
The publishing license of the popular English-language Brunei Times was revoked in November, reportedly after the newspaper published an article that alleged the fall in global oil prices was somehow related to Saudi Arabia’s plan to hike visa fees for the annual hajj pilgrimage. The newspaper wrote in its final issue that the closure was “due to business issues.”
But when international media reported that the newspaper’s shutdown was due to the Saudi visa story, it “caused a social media firestorm in the sultanate,” noted Ahmed Mansoor, a local journalist writing under a pseudonym in the Asian Nikkei Review.
“Only time will tell in which direction Brunei will lean – toward greater transparency or stricter censorship,” he wrote. “For now, all signs point to the latter.”

Southeast Asia oil Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Singapore


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A woman walks near bottles of Nam Ngu fish sauce, produced by Masan Group, at a supermarket in Hano. Photo: Retuers

Asia UnhedgedReal-time intel on what moves markets
KKR closes US$250 million investment in Vietnam’s Masan
The deal makes KKR the largest shareholder of Masan Nutri-Science after Masan Group

By Asia Unhedged April 25, 2017 7:24 PM (UTC+8)

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US private equity firm KKR completed their investment in Vietnam’s Masan Group and its Masan Nutri-Science meat unit, reports The Asset.
US$100 million will go to a purchase of Masan Group shares, making KKR the second-largest foreign shareholder. The additional US$150 investment in Masan Nutri-Science will give KKR a 7.5% stake to be the largest shareholder after Masan Group.

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