Roundup: Vietnamese media highlight importance of Bandung Conference

Vietnamese media on Monday highlighted the importance of the Asian-African Conference, known as the Bandung Conference.

In 1955, 29 Asian-African countries gathered in Bandung, Indonesia to discuss independence, peace and economic prosperity. The conference adopted a final communiqu containing 10 principles, which underlined respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and recognition of the equality of all races and all nations.

Importance of Bandung Conference and Vietnam's participation in the commemoration of 60th anniversary of the conference were reported Monday on such popular newspapers as Dan Tri (Knowledge for People), Lao Dong (Labor), Vietnam's state-run radio VOV, An Ninh Thu Do (Capital Security), Bao Tin Tuc (News), among others.

The official website of Vietnam's Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Monday ran an article entitled"Expanding multi-faceted cooperation with Asian-African countries."

According to the MoD, Bandung conference brought about 10 principles, laying foundation for international relations, such as mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. "The conference has become impetus for huge breakthroughs as many countries gained independence in Asia and Africa,"reported MoD.

"After 60 years, the world is facing new challenges. Global situations remain complicated and unpredictable. As a result, demand for multi-lateral cooperation among countries, regions in response to new global challenges is increasing. Asian-African countries all set priorities on socio-economic development, promotion of global trade liberalization, as well as strengthening of regional and inter-regional connectivity."

"There are currently several Asia-Africa cooperation mechanisms such as Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation, India-Africa Forum, Vietnam- Africa International Forum among others but lack inter-continental organizations," read the article.

Recalling Vietnam's participation in Asia-Africa Conference, Vietnam Plus, an online edition of the state-run news agency VNA, reported on Monday that Vietnamese delegation led by late Deputy Prime Minister Pham Van Dong joined the first Bandung conference in 1955.

In 2005, Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong attended the Asia- Africa Summit and the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

So far, Vietnam has established diplomatic ties with 52 out of 55 countries in Africa. Vietnam-Africa trade revenue increased from less than 500 million U.S. dollars in 2005 to around 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2013, reported Vietnam Plus.

The country is running investment projects with a total capital of over 2 billion U.S. dollars in Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Burundi, Tanzania, Angola among others, focusing on oil and gas, telecommunication, construction and agriculture.

Now there are some 30,000 Vietnamese people living and working in Africa, who are expected to make positive contribution to cooperation between Vietnam and the continent.

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang will attend the Asian- African Conference 2015 in Jakarta, commemorative events of the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference and 10th anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership in Indonesia's Bandung on April 22-24.

The Asian-African Conference this year is themed "Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity." Together with Asian and African countries, Vietnam wishes to promote the Bandung principles and other principles of international laws, as well as multi-faceted cooperation with countries in Asia and Africa. Endi