China sends message to mark Bandung fete

China sends message to mark Bandung fete

BEIJING (AFP): Chinese Premier Li Peng, in a message of
congratulation on the 40th anniversary of the Asia-Africa
Conference, stressed yesterday the importance of the "Bandung
Spirit" to fight hegemonism.

Although the world "is, on the whole, moving towards
relaxation, hegemonism and power politics still exist and the
world is by no means free from trouble," with profound and
complex changes taking place, Li said.

The spirit of the "epoch-making" 1955 conference in Bandung in
Indonesia is therefore of "important immediate significance," he
said, adopting China's habitual stance as the champion of
developing nations.

The 1955 Bandung conference was attended by representatives of
25 nations, providing a catalyst for a wave of decolonization
that swept the world in the 1950s and becoming the inspiration
for the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.

The original Bandung conference "gave expression to the
awakening and solidarity of the Asian and African peoples and
demonstrated the important role played by developing countries on
the international arena," said Li.

"Inspired by the Bandung Spirit, developing nations have waged
unyielding struggle to obtain and safeguard national
independence, oppose aggression and expansion, maintain world
peace ... and they have won great victory in this regard."

"The developing countries have become a decisive force in
international affairs," he added, pledging China's willingness to
work with other countries to realize "the lofty goals set forth
by the Bandung conference."