The Bandung Conference and The Promotion of International Cooperation

On the 22nd April 2015 there was the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Bandung Conference, gathering leaders from Africa and Asia. It was the first large scale Asian-African Conference, with the aim to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism or neocolonialism.

Twenty nine countries representing more than half the world’s populations sent delegates to the 1955 Bandung Conference. Photo from WhenInTime

“The basic idea of the Bandung Conference was that newly independent countries of Asia and Africa who were emerging from colonialism have common policies, common past and common needs, so they must work together to decide their future,” said Akram Zaki, Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, told Xinhua.

As stated by The Jakarta Post : “The success of convincing China, the then rising influence, to pledge respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others, to settle borders peacefully and to abstain from aggression and threats were remarkable achievements of that time. It created confidence over the improved future of the new and emerging economies”

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Bandung Conference and showed China’s determination in helping to create a “win-win cooperation” and common development between Asia and Africa.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) his wife Peng Liyuan (L) walk with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (2nd R) and his wife Iriana (R). Photo from chinadaily

The challenges in Asia and Africa are now seen as something that can be solved through economic cooperation. This is why the desire to further economic cooperation is mentioned during the 2015 commemoration and why China with its vast economic potential and its “Belt and Road” initiative is needed to play a crucial role in furthering the cooperation between the two developing continents.

As one of the leading metal suppliers, Shanghai Metal Corporation is expanding our business globally. Having collaborated with numerous companies around the world, we have truly learned the importance of having deep exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries. International cooperation brings mutual benefits when you identify shared aims and objectives and come to an agreement, it brings your project to another level. Shanghai Metal Corporation hopes that in the future the cooperation between the developing countries will bring more prosperity and leave the future generation with a much better world.

Sources : The Jakarta Post, Spyghana, Xinhua
Featured image : Voanews