In a written speech at a Beijing roundtable, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a modern revival of the "Bandung Spirit"—the cooperative energy born from the 1955 Bandung Conference that united Asian and African nations against colonialism and for shared progress.
Over the past 70 years, Asian and African countries, Wang noted, have become key architects of peace, development and cross-continental cooperation. Yet, he warned, rising power politics and unilateralism continue to fracture international norms and fuel global divides.
"Today, people around the world seek mutually beneficial cooperation and shared development," Wang wrote, urging support for an inclusive economic globalization model, the safeguarding of a robust multilateral trading system and opposition to unilateral protectionism.
He also highlighted the Chinese mainland's commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind, promising new opportunities, expanded space and fresh impetus for the development of the Global South and beyond.
For young global citizens and entrepreneurs, Wang's message underscores a renewed call for unity and equitable progress. As power dynamics shift and emerging markets rise, the Bandung Spirit offers a blueprint for sustainable cooperation, fostering partnerships that transcend borders and cultures.
Data snapshot: Asia and Africa together represent nearly 60% of the world's population and account for over 40% of global GDP—underscoring the potential impact of strengthened ties across these regions.
With global challenges from climate change to economic inequality on the rise, reviving the Bandung Spirit may pave the way for collaborative solutions that resonate with tech innovators, young activists, sports fans and digital nomads alike.
As Wang Yi's call echoes across continents, the question remains: will today's global citizens seize this moment to transform historical solidarity into concrete action?
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Wang Yi calls for inheriting and carrying forward Bandung Spirit
cgtn.com
