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May 23, 1955

Cable from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, 'Evaluation of the Asian-African Conference on Indonesian Radio'

This document was made possible with support from MacArthur Foundation

(Zhang, Zhang [Hanfu], Ji has read this)

 

Sent to: Indonesia

Priority: Additional Urgency

Forwarded to: Premier’s office, Zhang, Zhang [Hanfu], Ji, Qiao, Chen, Dong, First Asia [Department], Research Center

 

Content: Evaluation of the Asian-African Conference on Indonesian Radio

 

[To the] [Chinese] Embassy in Indonesia (Secret):

 

[We] received the cable dated 1 July [1955]. Attached is the speech for broadcast on the Asian-African Conference:

 

The convocation of the Asian-African Conference has great historical significance. This conference is held by countries of Asia and Africa that desire to control their own fate, without the participation of western colonial countries. [The conference] reflects the common wishes of the Afro-Asian peoples who constitute over half the world’s population to struggle and maintain independent sovereignty, guarantee world peace, and further friendly cooperation.

 

The Asian-African Conference strengthened the national consciousness of the peoples of Africa and Asia. [It] furthered mutual understanding between Afro-Asian countries, and opened a new path for international cooperation. The convocation and great achievements of the Asian-African Conference proves that the era of colonialists controlling the fate of Afro-Asian peoples at will is now gone permanently. Peace, independence, freedom and friendliness have become the common flag of the Afro-Asian peoples, no one can change this. As long as we maintain peace with determination, then no one can drag us into war. As long as we struggle for and maintain national independence with determination, then no one can continue to enslave us. As long as we increase friendly cooperation, then no one can divide or shatter us.

 

The results of the Asian-African Conference certainly helped in easing the tense international situation and maintaining world peace. Especially significant in meaning is the declaration [produced] by the Asian-African Conference on international peace and cooperation which regulates peaceful co-existence between countries through the Ten Principles. The Ten Principles is in complete accord with the spirit of the five principles of mutual respect for territorial sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-intervention of others’ internal affairs, equal and mutual benefits and finally peaceful co-existence. Indeed, [the Ten Principles] is an extension and development of the five principles. We believe, if we abide by these principles when dealing with relations between Afro-Asian countries as well as between countries of the world, then we will be able to make a great contribution towards easing the tense international situation and the maintenance of lasting peace in the Afro-Asia region and [throughout] the world.

 

Even though between the twenty nine participating countries there are many differences in social systems, the conference was still able to reach consensus on many important issues. Through broad contact, every country’s representatives were also able to further mutual understanding of each other. This is a great victory for the spirit of reaching common ground while reserving differences. We believe that since African and Asian countries can build upon the spirit of seeking common ground together at the Asian-African Conference and negotiate to find common opinion on major issues, then in other regions and the entire world, many major issues influencing international security may be similarly resolved.

 

Through common effort, these issues should be able to be resolved by the spirit of seeking common ground.

 

After the Asian-African Conference, interaction and contact between countries have increased, further mutual understanding and friendly relations are also being strengthened. This without a doubt helps to enlarge the results of the Asian-African Conference and strengthen Afro-Asian regional security as well as global security. My government and people treasure the decisions and declaration of the Asian-African Conference, and are willing to work hard with other Afro-Asian countries towards the realization [of visions from the Asian-African Conference]. The joint declaration by the Chinese premier with the Indonesian prime minister, their exchange of visits and the signing of a treaty on the issue of dual-nationality all fully demonstrate the spirit of the declaration of the Asian-African Conference. This kind of relationship between China and Indonesia will have an increasing importance in the work of maintaining peace in Asia and the world. There are great prospects for further developing friendly cooperation between Afro-Asian countries in every aspect. We strongly believe that through the common effort of every country’s government and people, there will be greater and greater progress in friendly cooperation between countries. This is not only in accord with the interests of the Afro-Asian peoples but it is also in accord with the interests of world peace. Lastly, towards the great efforts of the government of the Republic of Indonesia as one of the convoking countries and towards the great contributions by Prime Minister [Ali] Sastroamidjojo in chairing the conference, we would like to express our admiration and thanks.

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

7 July 1955

 

 

 

 

A Chinese speech highlights the Bandung Conference's contribution to world peace.



Document Information

Source

PRC FMA 207-00063-13, 26-28. Translated by Jeffrey Wang.

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Original Uploaded Date

2012-07-20

Type

Speech

Language

Record ID

114690

Donors

MacArthur Foundation