Xinhua chief editor: A-A conference`s spirit still alive

Antara News, Saturday, November 21, 2009 20:52 WIB

Bandung, W Java (ANTARA News) - Chinese News Agency Xinhua chief editor He Ping said during a visit here on Saturday he could still feel the spirit of the 1955 Asian-African Conference.

"Though the Asian-African Conference took place a long time ago, its spirit can still be felt until now," He Ping said after visiting the Asian-African Conference Museum in Bandung.

He Ping and a few Xinhua news agency staffers were on their visit in Bandung accompanied by ANTARA News Agency official Aat Surya Safaat.

The Xinhua chief editor said , the purpose of his visit to the Asian-African Conference Museum was to re-experience the spirit that had bound the historic conference`s initiators.

He said he had also come to Indonesia to observe the country`s social, economic, political, legal and cultural development.

"Indonesia has developed very well in economic terms," He Ping said.

He also expressed appreciation for Indonesian hospitality. "We are enjoying the Indonesian people`s hospitality during our stay here. Indonesian people are friendly," he said.

The Chinese Xinhua news agency was established in 1930 and has remained China`s sole news agency. Xinhua employs about 10,000 people including 120 journalists posted abroad.

Xinhua`s head-offices in Beijing and Hong Kong receive more than 1,000 news reports and 350 photographs from around the world per day.

Meanwhile, Indonesia`s ANTARA News Agency was established in 1937 and is currently serving more than 300 print and 65 electronic media.

It has a bureau in each of the country`s 33 provinces and in a number of foreign capitals, including in Beijing.