SEVENTY years ago, leaders from 29 Asian and African nations, including China and the Philippines, gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, to forge a new path for the Global South. The 1955 Asian-African Conference, or the Bandung Conference, marked a historic moment when newly independent nations united to challenge colonialism, imperialism, and Cold War divisions.
Independence and Anti-Colonialism
The Bandung Conference was a defiant cry against centuries of colonial oppression. It affirmed the right to self-determination, territorial integrity, and non-interference in domestic affairs — principles enshrined in the “Ten Principles of Bandung”. The conference’s emphasis on equality among nations, regardless of size or power, laid the groundwork for a more just international order.
Unity in Diversity and Pioneering South-South Cooperation
The relevant countries in Asia and Africa exemplified the power of solidarity despite differences. The Bandung Spirit transcended ideological divides, advocating for cooperation over confrontation. This spirit of “seeking common ground while reserving differences”, championed by China’s Premier Zhou Enlai, remains vital today. Meanwhile, Bandung catalyzed collaboration among developing nations. The 2015 Bandung Message reaffirmed this, calling for strengthened South-South cooperation as a complement to North-South dialogue.
Bridging Legacy and Common Development
By grounding cooperation in the Bandung Spirit’s principles and delivering tangible outcomes through modern initiatives, China seeks to build a community of shared future with neighboring countries — one that honors history, addresses today’s challenges, and unlocks shared opportunities for prosperity. China has been a steadfast partner in advancing ASEAN’s development through concrete actions and win-win collaboration. China remains ASEAN’s largest trading partner, and has injected vitality into regional growth via the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the RCEP. Infrastructure projects like the China-Laos Railway and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail exemplify China’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative. During crises, China provided over 600 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to ASEAN members, alongside medical supplies and expertise, bolstering collective health resilience. China also supported green developments in ASEAN countries through various projects, had initiatives like the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and 30,000+ annual scholarships, engaged in ASEAN-led mechanisms promoting dialogue on the South China Sea and counter-terrorism cooperation.
New Chapter of the Bandung Spirit for a Better Future
Recently, the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries and the Conference for Chiefs of Overseas Missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were held in Beijing. The conferences reflected on and refined its approach to strengthening relations with neighboring countries in the years ahead. A few days ago, President Xi Jinping concluded his visit in Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, which further deepened ties with these countries and ASEAN as a whole, injecting new impetus into the cause of peace and development across the region and beyond.
To jointly create a better future with neighboring countries, China will hold high the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind, act on he common vision of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, oster n amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, follow the policy nd principle eaturing amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness s well as a shared future for humanity, take the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness as the fundamental guidance, use high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main latform, and pursue he odel of security for Asia that features haring weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing ialogue and consultation s the strategic support.
Today, China’s economy has transitioned from high-speed growth to high-quality development, marked by innovation, improved industrial structures, and vast opportunities in markets, investment, and collaboration. As a result, the benefits of China’s growth will inevitably and abundantly flow to its neighbors first. China will deepen development integration with its neighbors, build a high-level connectivity network, strengthen ooperation in industrial and supply chains, aintain regional stability, onduct ecurity and law enforcement cooperation, respond to various risks and challenges, expand people-to-people interactions and communication, and facilitate ersonnel exchanges.
Seventy years after Bandung, its spirit of unity and self-reliance remains our compass. However, power politics, unilateralism, and bullying continue to undermine international rules, and sow division and confrontation. We should build an equal multipolar world and practice true multilateralism. It is essential to prioritize development and people’s livelihoods, advocate for universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, oppose the practices of unilateralism and protectionism, and build an open world economy. It is also necessary to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and work for mutual respect and harmonious coexistence while preserving diversity.
True prosperity blossoms not through dominance, but when nations co-create frameworks empowering all people to thrive. Let us choose solidarity over supremacy, for only collaborative efforts can secure lasting peace and dignified livelihoods for humanity. Let us work together to write a new chapter of the Bandung Spirit for building a stronger community with a shared future!