Bandung Spirit should be carried forward, officials and scholars say

Officials and scholars have called on nations to carry forward the Bandung Spirit, and foster unity, friendship, and cooperation to advance shared modernization efforts.

In 1955, leaders from 29 Asian and African nations convened in Bandung, Indonesia, fostering a spirit of unity, friendship, and cooperation that fueled liberation movements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and accelerated the dismantling of colonial rule worldwide.

The Ten Principles for international relations, introduced at the Bandung Conference, laid the foundation for Asia-Africa collaboration, bolstered South-South partnerships, and advanced a more equitable global order.

Speaking at a roundtable on Thursday, Wang Chao, president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, hailed the Global South as a pivotal force in maintaining international peace, driving world development and improving global governance.

Countries should uphold unity and self-reliance to continuously enhance the representation and voice of the Global South in global governance, promote exchanges and mutual learning among diverse civilizations, and support each other in pursuing a path of modernization that suits their national conditions, he said.

With development as a pressing priority for the Global South, Wang advocated for pursuing win-win cooperation, accelerating development and revitalization, and seeking a more just and reasonable external development environment.

He called for opposing the politicization and ideologization of economic and trade issues, rejecting the practice of undermining the global trade system for self-interest, while firmly safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core.

"The Bandung Conference was not just a meeting. It was a promise that no nation should be left behind," said Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun.

Oratmangun urged more successful projects to inspire and promote cross-border cooperation, adding that it is necessary to ensure that the dividends of development do not just remain within one's own borders but also benefit others.

He highlighted Indonesia-China collaboration with the Global Development Initiative, noting that China's advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence offer valuable lessons for developing countries, including Indonesia, as it pursues inclusive, technology-driven development.

Wu Hongbo, former United Nations under-secretary-general, praised China's commitment to adhering to the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, and following the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith.

China strengthens solidarity and cooperation, and shares development opportunities with the Global South, so as to pursue modernization for all developing countries through joint efforts, Wu added.

Khurshid Kasuri, former Pakistani foreign minister, said China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind deeply aligns with the Ten Principles of the Bandung Conference, enabling the Global South nations to address 21st-century challenges while enhancing their proactive role in shaping international relations.

Kasuri hailed the Belt and Road Initiative, a platform for realizing the vision, for promoting shared prosperity through collective action.

He cited China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as an example, saying China has helped Pakistan address its energy deficit and enhance trade logistics while calling for greater South-South cooperation.

Thant Kyaw, former Myanmar deputy minister and chairman of the Myanmar Strategic and International Studies Institute, said the Bandung Spirit underscores the importance of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity while promoting mutual respect and cooperation.

It encourages dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation and division, he added.

Given peace and stability are prerequisites for development, he called on the Global South to collaborate in resolving disputes peacefully to create a safe and stable development environment for all nations and peoples.