On April 20, 2015, the ministerial meeting of the Asian-African Summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi of Indonesia and Foreign Minister Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa. Ministerial delegates from about 100 Asian and African countries attended this meeting. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin attended and addressed the meeting.
Liu Zhenmin thanked Indonesia for holding the Asian-African Summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. He expressed that under the new circumstances, it is of great importance for Asian and African countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, push forward South-South cooperation and South-North dialogue, and promote the establishment of the new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation.
Liu Zhenmin pointed out that the Bandung Conference, which was held in Indonesia 60 years ago, is of epochal significance. The Bandung spirit of "unity, friendship and cooperation" is deeply rooted in people's mind, and the ten principles proposed at the Conference have become basic principles governing international relations. The Bandung Conference was a strong impetus for Asian and African countries to cooperate for self-improvement, inspired vast developing countries to strive for national independence and liberation, and opened the prelude of South-South cooperation and non-aligned movement, thus promoting the profound evolution of the international order. Over the 60 years, the international situation has witnessed great changes. The status and role of Asian and African countries in the international arena has also undergone profound changes. However, the Bandung spirit does not fade, and the ten principles of the Bandung Conference remain valid.
Liu Zhenmin expressed that, under the new circumstances, it is of important realistic significance especially to strengthen South-South cooperation and promote world peace and prosperity by adhering to and carrying forward the Bandung spirit and the ten principles of the Bandung Conference and reviving the new type of strategic partnership between Asia and Africa. Asian and African countries should be political partners with mutual respect and equal treatment, security partners sharing weal and woe and helping each other, interests partners of mutual benefit with win-win results and common development, as well as open and inclusive civilization partners seeking common ground while shelving differences, so as to enhance unity and jointly promote international governance.
Liu Zhenmin stressed that China once made historic contributions to the success of the Bandung Conference in 1955. After 60 years, China is willing to continue to make contributions to carrying forward the Bandung spirit, promoting solidarity and cooperation between Asian and African countries, and achieving common prosperity of developing countries. President Xi Jinping will come to Indonesia to attend the Asian-African Summit. On the occasion of the Asian-African Summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, the Chinese side would like to put forward the initiatives related to reviving the new type of strategic partnership between Asia and Africa and deepening Asia-Africa practical cooperation, and to reflect the proposals in the outcome documents.
The ministerial meeting is a preparatory meeting of the Asian-African Summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The three pillars of further strengthening the new type of strategic partnership between Asia and Africa under the new circumstances, namely, political solidarity, economic cooperation, and social and cultural relations, were discussed on the meeting. The outcome documents of the Summit and commemorating activities were examined and adopted, namely, the "Bandung Communique 2015", "Statement of Reviving the New Type of Strategic Partnership Between Asia and Africa" and "Statement on the Palestinian Issue".
