On April 17, 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for Chinese and foreign media, during which Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao briefed on President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Pakistan and attendance of the Asian-African Summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Indonesia, and answered questions from the journalists.
As for the state visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan, Liu Jianchao expressed that Pakistan is an important neighbor and all-weather strategic cooperative partner of China. Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 64 years ago, the two countries have forged a high-level political mutual trust and carried out all-round cooperation. Both sides always abide by the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, respect each other, take care of each other's core interests and sincerely help each other. At present, China and Pakistan enjoy a sound development momentum in bilateral relations, close high-level exchanges, smooth advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and frequent coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Last year, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan paid two visits to China respectively, during which leaders of the two countries reached important consensus on further deepening bilateral strategic cooperation, injecting new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is now under smooth construction and serves as a new platform for advancing bilateral practical cooperation in the new era. As this year marks the China-Pakistan Friendly Exchange Year, a joint decision made by leaders of both countries, both sides will together hold a series of colorful and splendid celebrations to push bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges to a new high.
Liu Jianchao pointed out that Pakistan is chosen as the first destination of President Xi Jinping's first overseas visit this year. This visit is also the first visit paid by a Chinese President to the country over the nine years and another major diplomatic action of the Chinese top leader toward the neighboring countries, which will promote bilateral relations to a new high and be of vital and far-reaching significance. Both sides will issue a joint statement and sign cooperation documents covering such fields as energy, transportation infrastructure, economy, trade, finance, science and technology. China will join efforts with Pakistan to earnestly consolidate, safeguard and develop bilateral traditional friendship and deepen cooperation in all fields, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
With regard to the attendance of the Asian-African Summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Indonesia, Liu Zhenmin said that in order to commemorate the Asian-African Conference in 1955 (the Bandung Conference) as well as the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the new type of strategic partnership between Asia and Africa, the Indonesian government will hold the Asian-African Summit under the theme "Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity" and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Jakarta and Bandung respectively from April 19 to 24, and it has invited 109 Asian and African countries and multiple international organizations to participate in the events.
Liu Zhenmin pointed out that the Bandung Conference, which was the first international conference initiated by Asian and African countries in history, is of epochal significance. A delegation led by then Premier Zhou Enlai attended the Bandung Conference 60 years ago, and in the spirit of seeking common grounds while shelving differences as well as reaching consensus through consultation, it made important contribution to the success of the Conference. The Conference, upholding the Bandung spirit of unity, friendship and cooperation, opened a new historical chapter for developing countries to strive for national independence and sovereignty, seek economic development and social progress, safeguard world peace and push for establishing a new global political and economic order through unity and cooperation. The ten principles proposed at the Conference on the basis of the Five Principle of Peaceful Co-existence jointly advocated by China, India and Myanmar have become basic principles governing international relations.
Liu Zhenmin noted that today's world is witnessing a more vigorous trend of times featuring pace, development, cooperation and win-win results. All countries are now more deeply integrated with and dependent on each other, increasingly becoming a common destiny community where all of them are interconnected. Against this background, we still have long way to go in adhering to and carrying forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, the ten principles of the Bandung Conference as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, it is of important realistic significance for Asian and African state leaders once again gathering together to discuss how to better inherit, carry forward and practice the Bandung spirit.
Liu Zhenmin stressed that China has for long been an active promoter and advocate of Asia-Africa cooperation. President Xi Jinping's upcoming attendance of the Summit fully embodies China's firm stance in promoting Asia-Africa cooperation and common development of Asian and African countries. During this visit, President Xi Jinping will attend the Asian-African Summit and the commemorations for the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, and deliver a speech at the Summit, expounding China's proposition and stance on carrying forward the Bandung spirit and enhancing Asia-Africa cooperation under the new circumstances. On the sidelines of the Summit, President Xi Jinping will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of relevant countries to exchange views on better promoting Asia-Africa cooperation and other topics.
