News Analysis: Bandung Conference remains key bridge between Asia, Africa: Cambodian experts

The Asian-African Conference, or better known as Bandung Conference, remains the major bridge connecting Asian and African regions in the new world, scholars in Cambodia said prior to the 60th anniversary of the historic meeting.

In 1955, leaders and representatives from 29 Asian and African countries gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, to discuss independence, peace and economic prosperity. The Bandung Conference adopted a final communique containing ten principles, which redefined international relations and formed the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement.

"The Conference remains the key bridge connecting Asia and Africa in the new world," Chheang Vannarith, a senior researcher of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, told Xinhua.

"It no longer focuses on the Non-Aligned Movement but in building a multi-polar world in which the developing world has more voices and leverage in shaping the new global order and governance," he said.

The expert hailed the contribution of China-initiated "One Belt, One Road" plan, BRICS Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on the Bandung Principles to the developing world.

"China has played a significant role in poverty reduction in the developing world from Asia to Africa through infrastructure development, human resources development, trade and investment," Vannarith said. "The One Belt, One Road initiative is a case in point illustrating Chinese commitment in assisting other developing countries to share the fruits of the rising China."

Asian and African leaders will attend the 10th anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership Summit on April 22-23 in Jakarta and the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference on April 24 in Bandung.

Joseph Matthews, director of International Cooperation at Asia Euro University in Phnom Penh, said the people of two continents have a great expectation and anticipate some pragmatic measures from the participating leaders to come up with a strategic framework to resolve issues of common interests.

"It will be an important opportunity for the leaders of the two continents to discuss and find resolutions to economic, social and political problems, narrow down the gap between rich and poor countries, transfer of technology from developed country to underdeveloped countries, and promote inclusive economic development in the region," he said.

Joseph recalled that in 1955 when the Asian-African alliance was established, it was purely focused on political considerations as the world was divided into the Western bloc and the Eastern bloc, but this alliance in 2005 was transformed into a "strategic partnership" based on economic development of the two continents.

Africa is the second largest continent of 1.1 billion people in over 54 countries. This continent unfortunately has the poorest of the poorest countries in the world, especially in Sub-Sahara region of Africa, he said.

Joseph lauded China for its role in the development of African countries. "Chinese endeavors from the very beginning, especially after 2005, were aimed at helping African countries to develop economically without any conditions or political considerations," he said.

In the last 10 years, China has been the biggest driving force of economic development in the continent, he said, adding that China is the biggest investor and contributor of economic development in the region, especially in infrastructure development.

"China's approach to the continent has undoubtedly only one purpose and one objective, and that is to kick-start an inclusive economic development in the region," he said.

Joseph believed Chinese President Xi Jinping's initiatives that include the revival of the ancient Silk Road, which is based on economic development of all the countries in the region, are a milestone and will go a long way to strengthen the economic ties among nations along the route.

The "One Belt, One Road" plan will bring three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa - nearer than they were ever before, he said. Endi