Dr Mohammad Firdaus (eighth, from left) and Dr Muhammad Hadi (sixth, from left) in a group photo. - Photo: SCNU
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Head of Brunei History Centre Dr Muhammad Hadi Muhammad Melayong and President of Brunei-China Friendship Association Dr Mohammad Firdaus Abdul Rahman recently attended the Southeast Asia Forum 2024 International Conference in Guangzhou, China.
The conference, hosted by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies of South China Normal University (SCNU), took place from November 15 to 17.
During the opening ceremony, Dr Mohammad Firdaus delivered a keynote speech titled ‘Building Strong Foundations and Frameworks to Advance the Future of the China-Asean Community of Shared Destiny’.
On November 17, Dr Muhammad Hadi participated in a sub-forum, presenting on ‘Brunei-China Relations: A Legacy of the Past for the Future’.
Following the sessions, both Brunei representatives presented books on Brunei-China historical ties and religious culture to the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
The forum, guided by the Secretariat for International and Regional Studies under China’s Ministry of Education and SCNU, explored the theme ‘Connectivity and Coordinated Development from the Linkage Perspective of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area-Hainan Free Trade Port-Southeast Asia’.
Some 300 participants, including university presidents, academics, government officials and business representatives from Southeast Asia and China, attended the event.
Founded in June 2017, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is a ‘National and Regional Research Center’ registered under China’s Ministry of Education.
In September 2023 and July 2024, research teams from the centre visited Brunei to engage with institutions such as Universiti Brunei Darussalam, the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies, local schools and Chinese community associations.
The centre aims to deepen its research on Brunei and Southeast Asia while enhancing academic and cultural exchanges with the region. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
