News Headline

 

Haitian Hotel Qingdao, People’s Republic of China, Wednesday, 24th April 2024 – The 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium 2024 hosted by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) was held in Qingdao, People’s Republic of China on Sunday, 21st April 2024 until Thursday, 25th April 2024. The symposium was participated by the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) with Captain Khairil bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Acting Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, as the Head of the Delegation.

This year’s symposium was marked by significant international participation encompassing 29 countries consisting of 22 WPNS members: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, USA and Vietnam, and seven (07) observer nations: Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom.

Admiral Yuan Huazhi, The Political Commissar of PLA-N and Admiral Hu Zhongming, The Commander of PLA-N, co-hosted the symposium, emphasizing its pivotal role as a cornerstone for advancing regional maritime securities and fostering collaborative endeavours amongst members. The symposium was then followed by deliberations centring on the overarching theme of WPNS agendas, delving into subjects of protocols for WPNS membership, Unplanned Encounters at Sea and Business Charter. The deliberations and discussions mirrored the dynamic landscape of maritime affairs, highlighting the imperative for continuous adaptation and enhancement of security measures. A high-level seminar titled “The Ocean with a Shared Future” was also conducted, and various subjects focused on maritime security cooperation, initiatives, and joint contributions were presented by WPNS Chief of Navies members. The symposium ended with goodwill events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of PLA-N.

Alongside the 19th WPNS, Acting Deputy Commander RBN also had the opportunity to engage in bilateral meetings with esteemed counterparts, including Admiral Yuan Huazhi, Political Commissar of the PLA-N and Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff Indonesian Navy. The symposium also provided opportunities for Acting Deputy Commander RBN to engage with other Chief of Navies such as Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hj Ayob, Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy, Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thailand Navy and Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff Pakistan Navy.

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) has been an integral member of the WPNS since its establishment in 1988, hosting its most recent workshop in 2019 in Brunei Darussalam. RBN's continued participation underscores its unwavering commitment to fostering diplomatic collaboration among WPNS member nations, ensuring the security and regulation of maritime areas within the Western Pacific Region. This multilateral platform cultivates trust and facilitates enhanced capacity building through constructive dialogues and discussions between naval forces, contributing to a safer and more secure maritime environment. The forthcoming WPNS workshops in Canada in 2025 and France in 2026 are anticipated milestones for further international cooperation and engagement.​

 

 

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