Seven Nobel Laureates to Visit Indonesia in 2017

Jakarta Globe, Edo Karensa, October 12, 2016

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, second from left, along with International Peace
 Foundation chairman Uwe Morawetz, third from left, in Jakarta on Wednesday
(12/10). (Antara Photo/Muhammad Adimaja)

Jakarta. Seven Nobel laureates, who have been recognized for their contributions in the fields of chemistry, physics, literature, peace and medicine, are scheduled to visit Indonesia between January and March next year for a series of events.

The theme of the "Bridges – Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace" event series, initiated by the Vienna-based International Peace Foundation, will be "building a culture of peace and development in a globalized world."

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is honorary chairman of the event in Indonesia, said it will set a good example for dialogue between East and West.

"The event is called 'dialogues,' so it is not like a lecture. We will hear the perspectives of the Nobel laureates," Kalla told reporters during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/10).

International Peace Foundation founding chairman Uwe Morawetz, said the aim of the events is to facilitate and strengthen dialogue and communication between societies in Southeast Asia with their multiple cultures and religions to promote mutual understanding and trust.

"The events will build bridges between Nobel laureates, local universities and other institutions in Southeast Asia to establish long-term relationships, which may result in common research in the future," Morawetz said.

The topics will cover a wide range of issues in politics, economics, science, culture and the media, which highlights the challenges and impact of both globalism and regionalism.

Among the speakers who will visit Indonesia are economics laureate professor Eric S. Maskin, European Commission president Jose Manuel Baroso, physics laureate professor Sheldon L. Glashow, medicine laureate Sir Richard J. Roberts, economics laureate Robert F. Engle III, physics laureate Jerome I. Friedman and chemistry laureate Peter Agre.

The series will be staged in cooperation with the University of Indonesia, the Jakarta State University, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Binus School Simprug, Binus University, Ipeka Integrated School and Prasetya Mulia University in the greater Jakarta area; the Bandung Institute of Technology and Airlangga University in Bandung, West Java; Ubaya University in Surabaya, East Java; and Udayana University in Bali.

Members of the general public will be able to attend the events free of charge.

The 2016 #NobelPrize laureates pic.twitter.com/1eInQFVdy7

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 13, 2016

Belt and Road key to future of Africa-Asia cooperation

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2015-04-26

Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the Asian-African Summit 2015 in Jakarta,
April 22. (Photo/Xinhua)

At the Asian-African Summit or Bandung Conference 2015 held in Jakarta, Indonesia, President Xi Jinping of China delivered a speech calling for win-win cooperation between Asian and African counties. China still has an important advantage in its huge labor-intensive industry to help Africa's developing counties develop their economies, China Securities Journal reports.

Xi said China will push for cooperation between Asian and African nations, pledging to give zero tariff treatment to 97% of categories to most developing nations which have diplomatic ties with China and will continue to offer subsidies to developing counties without any political conditions. China hopes all countries in the region can work together to on its New Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (Belt and Road) initiatives and join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), pushing for joint maintenance of regional and world peace and stability.

In 1955, representatives from 29 Asian and African countries and regions gathered in Bandung to discuss independence, peace and economic prosperity. The Bandung Conference opened a new chapter in the developing countries' struggle for national independence, economic development, social progress and a more balanced international order.

Beijing's Belt and Road initiative will explore the deeper-level cooperation potential and expand cooperation room among related countries along the routes. For developing countries, insufficient funding for infrastructure is one of the most difficult problems. The AIIB aims to make up this shortfall. So far, the AIIB has attracted 57 nations to be its founding members.

The Belt and Road will involve territory occupied by around 4.4 billion people, accounting for 63% of the world's population, with total economic output of about US$2.2 trillion, representing 30% of the world's total. The nations along the routes are mostly new and emerging economies. The Belt and Road will build on existing foundations to push for more complementary cooperation to expand regional cooperation.

China and Pakistan have jointly promoted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as one of the important projects in building the Belt and Road, triggering rising investments.

Due to rising worker salaries, China has gradually lost its advantage in labor costs, with a large volume of labor-industries destined to gradually move out of the nation. While Africa, which has a population of over one billion, will be the only place in the world that can receive China's huge labor-intensive industry, especially as the average per capita salary in African countries is only about one-fifth to one-tenth of China's.

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"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems  (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it),  Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse),  Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version) 

“… The Future of the Illuminati

Now, I want to tell you something that you didn't expect and something I've reported only one other time. What about all of the money that the Illuminati has? There are trillions and trillions of euro in banks, under their control, waiting. What are they going to do with it and where are they going to use it? It's still here. They're waiting.

This group is waiting for something to happen that they know is going to happen, for they see it coming as much as I do. However, I would like to tell you something that they don't expect. With awareness comes generational shift. Those in charge of this money will not always be elders. The indigos eventually will have it.

They are waiting for something to happen in Africa - the building of a new civilization, a continent that has nothing to unlearn. Once Africa is cured, once it's ready, a new civilization can be created from the ground up. Africans will be ready to learn everything about building a foundation for the most advanced civilization ever and will do it with the most modern and inventive systems available. Eventually, this new continent will even beat the economics of China.

This is the prediction and always has been, and the Illuminati's money will fund it. Did I say the Illuminati will fund it? [Kryon laugh] The Illuminati's money will fund it, but there is a difference from the past, dear ones. The ones who inherit the positions in the Illuminati will be a different consciousness. Listen, they are not suddenly going to be the ones who have the good of everyone in their hearts - hardly. They want to make money, but what they will see instead is a way to make a great deal of money through this investment. In the process, it will automatically help hundreds of thousands, and they will be at the beginning, the foundation, that builds the new Africa. The new African states of unification eventually will create a continent stronger than any of the others, and it will have one currency. The resources alone will dwarf anything in the world. ...”

60 years after first Bandung Conference, a very different world

Want China Times, Editorial 2015-04-25

Xi Jinping, center left, is flanked by Joko Widodo as they walk to the meeting
venue for the Asian-African Summit in Bandung, Indonesia, April 24. (File photo/CNA)

Around 30 leaders of Asian and African countries gathered in Bandung, Indonesia to mark the 60th anniversary of the first Asian-African Conference of 1955, which led to the Non-Aligned Movement.

Both President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Shizo Abe of Japan attended the event, even though the two countries have not been actively involved in the past. This showed the two rivals' efforts to seek allies and forge ties.

The main goal of Xi's appearance at the event, which was mainly attended by Chinese officials at the level of the deputy foreign minister in the past, is to enhance China's global influence as the country is promoting the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the "Belt and Road" trade route initiatives.

Xi urged Asian and African nations to work together to promote the building of a community of common destiny for all mankind in his speech at the summit, calling for trade and investment liberalization and cooperation among developing countries.

It is important for China to ease other countries' concerns about its construction in the disputed South China Sea, when the country is seen as an emerging power that is stronger and has greater potential than Russia.

Abe, on the other hand, was seeking to ease tensions created by Japan's involvement in territorial disputes and controversies surrounding its actions in World War II and a proposed amendment of the country's postwar pacifist constitution, while reminding the world about its important role in the Asia-Pacific region.

The small influence of the Non-Aligned Movement that started 60 years ago shows that only countries with real strength can change how the global politics work. This year's summit in Bandung is perhaps a new landmark in which the world sees the rise of a new power and the reshaping of global balance of power.

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Jokowi Calls for Reform of UN at Asian-African Conference

President Joko Widodo, center, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, as

 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, looks on at the opening of the

60th Asian-African Conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. (AACC2015/Prasetyo Utomo)

Jokowi Pleased With Asian-African Conference Results

Jakarta Globe, Basten Gokkon,  Apr 23, 2015

An estimated 20,000 students played the angklung, a bamboo instrument,
setting a world record to celebrate the Asian-African Conference, at Bandung’s
Siliwangi Stadium on Thursday. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo on Thursday closed the Jakarta leg of meetings of the Asian-African Conference as delegates head to Bandung for the closing ceremony on Friday.

At least 90 countries from the two continents have worked together to formulate three important documents: the Bandung Message; the Declaration on Reinvigorating the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership; and the Declaration on Palestine.

On Thursday, Joko officially authorized the documents as the outcome of the 60th commemoration of the high-level conference.

“I believe that the concepts that have been produced will reflect the Bandung Spirit and the interests of every country,” he said.

“I, therefore, would like to express my appreciation for the enthusiasm and the commitment of your majesties and excellencies, and of all parties involved in the formulation of the outcome documents and in the convening of this summit,” Joko said before the delegates at the Jakarta Convention Center.

He urged the world to listen to the voices and decisions made during the conference, saying the summit was one of the largest intergovernmental forums outside the framework of the United Nations, in which Asian and African countries, as well as a number of international observers, take part.

“The voices in the summit represent the voices of Asia and Africa,” Joko said.

He added that participating countries had also agreed to reinvigorate the core ideas of the South-South movement, namely prosperity, solidarity and stability of Asian and African nations.

“We have agreed to establish a network of peace-keeping centers in the two regions, to facilitate capacity-building cooperation,” Joko said.

The conference condemned acts of extremism and terrorism in the name of religion and resolved to promote dialogue between cultures and faiths, he said. The summit also agreed to foster trade and investment as the engine of growth.

“In this regard, we will pursue a fair, multilateral trading system, which is pro-growth and inclusive; which would contribute to growth, investment and job opportunities; and which promotes sustainable development,” Joko said.

He highlighted the Asian and African countries’ recognition of the centrality of the maritime sector as well as the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean in bridging the economic development of the two continents.

“In this regard, maritime cooperation will become one of the pillars of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership,” the president said.

“I will work hard with all of you to ensure the materialization of the strategic partnership. I will also strive, with your support, for the prosperity, equality and stability of all Asian and African countries,” he said, ending his remarks.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, co-chair of the day’s forum, said the three documents captured the ideas and visions of where Asian and African nations would lead in the future through the Bandung Spirit.

“This was a very successful meeting … There is no doubt therefore that this summit will be historic,” he said.

Joko also announced several other outcomes from the conference.

“I’m very glad to announce that we’ve established April 24 as Asia-Africa Day; reinforced Bandung as the city of Asian-African solidarity; and more importantly, the opening of the Asia Africa Center in Indonesia,” Joko told reporters.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi said her office, which organized the conference, had not yet decided where the center would be  located.

She said the countries would have another meeting to plan the venture.

“What we have prepared are the programs that will be run under the Asia Africa Center and also the modalities,” Retno said.

The United States, which attended the conference as an observer, praised Indonesia, saying it had long been a champion for peace and cooperation on the international stage.

“Very notably, however, over the past 17 years Indonesia also has become a model of democratic transformation, religious pluralism and tolerance, and economic development,” said Robert O. Blake, Jr., the US ambassador to Indonesia, who led his country’s delegation at the conference.

“It is now home to the world’s largest democracy after India and the United States,” he added.

He said that as a fellow democracy, the United States shared Indonesia’s respect for fundamental human rights — the first of 10 principles extolled by the original Bandung Conference in 1955.

“It is our hope that the countries attending this conference in 2015 will leave Bandung inspired by Indonesia’s commitment to a political system based on the consent of the governed, rule of law, and respect for human rights,” Blake said. “Countries whose policies respect and reflect these rights are far more likely to be more peaceful and more prosperous.”

The United States, the ambassador said, was fully committed to partnering with countries in Asia and Africa to advance cooperation and address shared challenges together.

The United States has been increasingly involved in Asia and the Pacific.

US President Barack Obama’s strategic decision to rebalance US efforts and resources toward the Asia-Pacific region is an example of how vital the region is to Washington’s interests.

Many, however, see the renewed US engagement in Asia as an attempt to counterbalance  China’s growing clout in the region.

“Our expanding engagement with Asia is about sustaining progress and stability in a region relatively free of conflict — a region where democracy increasingly has taken hold,” Blake said.

“Our rebalance provides for a win-win scenario in which every country in the region, including China, contributes to the continuation of decades of peace and stability.”

He added that beyond Bandung, challenges remained, including combating climate change, stopping the spread of infectious diseases, strengthening good governance, and countering violent ideologies and terrorism.

“The United States looks forward to cooperating with Indonesia and other countries represented at this conference to overcome these challenges,” Blake said.

Interview: Ex-Singapore official: Zhou Enlai was center of Bandung Conference

English.news.cn, Ma Yujie, 2015-04-21

"Zhou Enlai was center of Bandung Conference," Singapore ex-diplomat

recalls the grand event

SINGAPORE, April 21 (Xinhua) -- "Zhou Enlai was the center of the Bandung Conference," said 91-year-old Lee Khoon Choy, who met Zhou in 1955 during the first Asian-African Conference (also known as Bandung Conference), in an exclusive interview with Xinhua here.

Lee, born in 1924 in Penang, Malaysia, joined the People's Action Party in 1959 in Singapore and was elected into the Legislative Assembly at the same year. By the time he retired from public service in 1988, he had held various positions in the government, including as a Member of Parliament and senior minister of state, and served as Singapore's ambassador and high commissioner to eight countries.

However, back in 1955, when Lee first met Zhou, the then premier of the People's Republic of China, he was a reporter at the Chinese newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau. He was in Indonesia to cover the Bandung Conference, a gathering of leaders and representatives from 29 Asian and African countries, most of them newly independent, to promote economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism.

The conference adopted a final communique containing ten principles, which underlined respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and recognition of the equality of all races and the equality of all nations.

Even though more than half a century has passed, Lee can still remember many details. He recalled that Zhou and his "strong" Chinese delegation including Chen Yi, the then foreign minister, were the center of attraction as soon as they arrived.

"They received a warm welcome from overseas Chinese. They gave the delegation a very warm applause and some even set off firecrackers to celebrate."

Every time Lee talks about Zhou, he made a thumbs-up gesture to show his respect.

"Zhou Enlai came to the conference with a prepared speech. After listening to the speeches against China, I saw him leading the Chinese delegation in a walk back to their hotel room. There was a big crowd clapping hands when the delegation walked out of and back into the Merdeka Building in Bandung," Lee said. "When Zhou returned to the conference table, he threw away his prepared speech and spoke off the cuff."

"That came to be the historical moment of China's diplomacy," Lee said.

Zhou said he had come to the conference to seek peace and not enemies. He said China was willing to negotiate with America for peace.

"Zhou's speech totally changed the atmosphere of the whole conference. He became the very center of the stage, with everyone' s attention on him."

For then 31-year-old Lee, this was not the only impressive moment with Zhou.

"I have always remembered one sentence from Zhou - overseas Chinese like you should take part in politics," Lee recalled.

"Many people at that time were hesitant to step into politics, but after the Bandung Conference, a lot changed their minds," Lee said.

For Lee himself, Zhou's words had also more or less changed his life. Lee didn't make up his mind to join politics after the Bandung Conference, but was finally persuaded by then Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1959, an old friend who Lee Khoon Choy met when he went to London to attend a class for advanced study in journalism ten years prior (1949).

Lee has since then served in government for almost three decades before he retired in 1988. In 2005, he was invited by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to attend the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. But to him, there's "no second Bandung Conference" like the one in 1955.

"China brought up the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence at the Bandung Conference, which was very good," he said.

"During the conference, Zhou got the opportunity to explain to other countries that China was not trying to subvert their political power, and it was the first time China established connectivity with countries in the world. Zhou made a great contribution to this."

It was not until 20 years later when Lee and Zhou met again. In 1975, Lee, the then minister of state for foreign affairs, visited China with Singapore's foreign minister S. Rajaratnam.

Zhou, who was suffering from cancer at that time, met them in Beijing where he was hospitalized. To his surprise, Zhou "had a really remarkable memory."

"He said, 'Oh, we met in Bandung and you had interviewed me," Lee said and smiled.

That trip later kicked off bilateral communications between Singapore and China.

Since the first trip to China in 1975, Lee has visited China more than 100 times, either as a politician, diplomat, tourist, businessman or antique collector. He has witnessed the dramatic changes of China.

"I admire Xi Jinping's axe on corruption, it will do great good to China," Lee said.

Editor: Mengjie

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"The Timing of the Great Shift" – Mar 21, 2009 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)

“… Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013. They're going to fall over, you know, because the energy of the population will not sustain an old energy leader. Remember where you heard it... in a strange, esoteric meeting with a guy in a chair pretending to channel. [Kryon being factious... Kryon humor] Then when you hear it, you'll know better, won't you? "Maybe there was something really there," you'll say. "Maybe it was real," you'll say. Perhaps you can skip all the drama of the years to come and consider that now? [Kryon humor again]

These leaders are going to fall over. You'll have a slow developing leadership coming to you all over the earth where there is a new energy of caring about the public. "That's just too much to ask for in politics, Kryon." Watch for it. That's just the beginning of this last phase. So many things are coming. The next one is related to this, for a country in survival with sickness cannot sustain a leadership of high consciousness. There is just too much opportunity for power and greed. But when a continent is healed, everything changes. .."

".. Many years ago, the prevailing thought was that nobody should consider China as a viable player on the economic stage. They were backward, filled with a system that would never be westernized, and had no wish to become joined with the rest of the world's economic systems. Look what has happened in only 30 years. Now, look at Africa differently …”

"The End of History"- Nov 20, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) - (Text-Version)

" .... Africa

Let me tell you where else it's happening that you are unaware - that which is the beginning of the unity of the African states. Soon the continent will have what they never had before, and when that continent is healed and there is no AIDS and no major disease, they're going to want what you have. They're going to want houses and schools and an economy that works without corruption. They will be done with small-minded leaders who kill their populations for power in what has been called for generations "The History of Africa." Soon it will be the end of history in Africa, and a new continent will emerge.

Be aware that the strength may not come from the expected areas, for new leadership is brewing. There is so much land there and the population is so ready there, it will be one of the strongest economies on the planet within two generations plus 20 years. And it's going to happen because of a unifying idea put together by a few. These are the potentials of the planet, and the end of history as you know it.

In approximately 70 years, there will be a black man who leads this African continent into affluence and peace. He won't be a president, but rather a planner and a revolutionary economic thinker. He, and a strong woman with him, will implement the plan continent-wide. They will unite. This is the potential and this is the plan. Africa will arise out the ashes of centuries of disease and despair and create a viable economic force with workers who can create good products for the day. You think China is economically strong? China must do what it does, hobbled by the secrecy and bias of the old ways of its own history. As large as it is, it will have to eventually compete with Africa, a land of free thinkers and fast change. China will have a major competitor, one that doesn't have any cultural barriers to the advancement of the free Human spirit.. ...."

109 Asian African Countries Flags Hoisted In Bandung

Jakarta Globe, aacc2015.id, Apr 21, 2015

AACC2015, Bandung – 109 flags from Asian and African countries and the
 flag of the United Nations (UN) were hoisted on Wednesday (4/15) at the
 Asian-African Conference Museum—Merdeka building at Jalan Asia Afrika
No. 65, Bandung.

The raising of the flags marked the beginning of the series of events of the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Asian-African Conference (AACC) in Bandung. The flags will fly for two weeks on April 15-30, 2015.

The 109 participating countries flags and the UN flag were hoisted by around 350 Bandung boy and girl scouts in a flag raising ceremony for the AACC at Merdeka Building or also known as Asian-African Museum in Bandung.

The flags raising ceremony was attended by the representatives from the Asian-African Conference Museum and a number of Bandung community figures, and led by the Leader of Bandung Scouts Deddy Darmawan.

In his brief remarks, Mr. Darmawan hoped that the young generation, especially the scout members, could take the positive lesson from the flag hoisting ceremony. “When a flag is unfolded, it means that a state’s sovereignty is raised. As scout members hoisting the flags, you shall take positive values from this historic event; that is freedom and human rights. Therefore, cultivate AAC values ​​in your attitudes and behavior in your everyday lives,” he said.

Head of the Asian-African Museum Thomas Siregar explained that in 2005—at the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference—107 flags were raised at Gedung Merdeka. “It consisted of 106 Asian and African countries flags and one UN flag. But now, there are 110 flags. Therefore, there are three additional flags of Asian and African countries, in addition to the UN flag,” he explained.

The flag raising ceremony was enliven by a marching band performance from the students of SMKN 6 Bandung vocational high school and speech musicalization performance that featured President Sukarno speech footage at the inauguration of 1955 Asian-African Conference entitled “Let a New Asia and a New Africa be Born” by Adew Habsta and his company. The speech was considered relevant to the current state because it contained inspiring messages. (Source: Asian-African Conference Museum, Translator: Penni Patmawati, Editor: Gusti Andry, Filmon Warouw)

Indonesia Strengthens Outreach to Pacific Isles

Jakarta Globe, Apr 20, 2015

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi speaking at the opening of the Asian-African
Conference in Jakarta on Monday. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)

Jakarta. Indonesia is pushing for more cooperation with Pacific island countries at the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta this week by helping countries in the region through a multitude of means.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi met on Sunday with seven of her counterparts for separate talks on the sidelines of the conference, four of them from Pacific island nations.

Vanuatu’s foreign minister, Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu, said his country considered Indonesia to be “the gateway to Asia” and was looking for greater cooperation with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy in trade, agriculture, tourism, and disaster mitigation capabilities.

In early April, the Indonesian government sent $2 million worth of aid to Vanuatu after a devastating cyclone hit the country and left more than a dozen people dead and thousands homeless.

Kilman said Vanuatu was also preparing to open an embassy in Jakarta in a bid to enhance bilateral relations.

“Vanuatu has a great diplomatic relationship with Indonesia. Therefore, Vanuatu hopes to have its embassy in Jakarta,” he said as quoted by state news agency Antara.

“Indonesia and Vanuatu will also be able to experience stronger bilateral relations in the future and be able to discuss various global issues together,” Kilman added.

Vanuatu is among the more than 80 nations that have sent delegates to Indonesia for the Asian-African Conference this week, taking place in Jakarta and Bandung through Friday.

Retno said the Indonesian government welcomes Vanuatu’s plan.

“We are very excited and proud of Vanuatu’s decision to open an embassy in Jakarta. This means that almost all countries of the Pacific will have an embassy here,” she said.

She added that both countries were committed to discussing the technicalities of establishing resident embassies and opportunities for partnership in other sectors.

“We have talked about boosting partnership in the economic, engineering and agricultural sectors, where we already have very good cooperation with Vanuatu,” Retno said.

The minister also expressed her optimism about where relations were going between Indonesia and other Melanesian countries in the Pacific.

Melanesia extends from Fiji to the Arafura Sea and is commonly thought to include Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, West Papua and the Maluku islands. The latter two are part of Indonesia.

“Indonesia’s Melanesians are about to become larger than other groups of Melanesians. So I tell you this: Indonesia is Melanesia and Melanesia is Indonesia,” Retno said, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.

Retno also met with her counterpart from the Solomon Islands, Milner Tozaka; Fiji’s Ratu Inoke Kubuabola; and Papua New Guinean Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato.

Pato and Retno discussed increasing trade between the two neighbors. The countries will stage a joint ministerial committee in September to discuss cooperation in a number of areas from sports, education, energy and mineral resources to telecommunications.

Papua New Guinea, Retno said, is also interested in learning more about Indonesia’s recent plans to boost its fisheries and maritime sector. She said several Indonesian companies were interested in investing or expanding their operations in Papua New Guinea.

Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Tozaka said his country was looking to send more students to study in Indonesia.

“We have several cooperation [agreements] in agriculture and education. We have several students studying here and we are aiming at increasing [their numbers],” he said as quoted by Antara.

Retno said that to further strengthen ties with Melanesian countries, Indonesia was looking to host a festival on Melanesian art and culture in October in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.

“Through cultural and arts events like this, we can establish more people-to-people contacts,” she said.

Retno also met with South Africa’s foreign minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari; and Nepal Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey.

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Vanuatu to Open Embassy in Jakarta

Jakarta Globe, Apr 20, 2015

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, right, chats with Vanuatu's Foreign Minister
 Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu, left, on the sidelines of the 60th Asian-African
Conference in Jakarta. (Antara Photo/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)

Jakarta. Vanuatu is preparing to open an embassy in Jakarta in a bid to enhance bilateral relations, the foreign affairs minister of the Pacific Island nation announced on Sunday.

“Vanuatu has a great diplomatic relationship with Indonesia. Therefore, Vanuatu hopes to have its embassy in Jakarta,” Minister Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu said on Sunday, as cited by state-run news agency Antara.

“Indonesia and Vanuatu will also be able to experience stronger bilateral relations in the future and be able to discuss various global issues together,” Kilman added.

Vanuatu is among the 80-plus nations gathering in Indonesia for the Asian-African Conference, which is taking place in Jakarta and Bandung until Friday.

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said on Sunday that the government welcomes Vanuatu’s plan.

“We are very excited and proud of Vanuatu’s decision to open its embassy in Jakarta. This means that almost all countries of the Pacific will have an embassy here,” Retno said.

She added that both countries are committed to discussing the technicalities of establishing resident embassies and opportunities for partnership in other sectors.

“We have talked about boosting partnerships in the economic, engineering and agricultural sectors where we already have very good cooperation with Vanuatu,” Retno said.

The minister also expressed her optimism about where relations are going between Indonesia and other Melanesian countries in the Pacific.

Melanesia extends from Fiji to the Arafura Sea and is commonly thought to include Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, West Papua and the Maluku islands. The latter two are part of Indonesia.

“Indonesia’s Melanesians are about to become larger than other groups of Melanesians. So, I tell you this: Indonesia is Melanesia and Melanesia is Indonesia,” Retno said, as cited by news portal CNNIndonesia.com.

In early April, the Indonesian government sent $2 million worth of aid to Vanuatu after a devastating cyclone hit the country and left 11 dead and thousands homeless.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, center, sends off the Indonesian aid

delegation to cyclone-hit Vanuatu. (Antara Foto/Rivan Awal Lingga)

Related Article:

Indonesia Sends Aid to Cyclone-Hit Vanuatu

Xi Jinping to visit Pakistan, Indonesia

Want China Times, Xinhua 2015-04-18

Xi Jinping attends a conference in Hainan province, March 29. (File photo/CNS)

Chinese president Xi Jinping will visit Pakistan and attend meetings in Indonesia next week, the foreign ministry announced on Friday morning.

The president will pay a state visit to Pakistan on Monday and Tuesday at the invitation of Pakistani president Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

At the invitation of Indonesian president Joko Widodo, Xi will attend the Asian-African Summit and activities to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference from Tuesday to Friday.

Xi's two-day state visit to Pakistan will be his first trip to the South Asian country since he assumed the presidency in 2013.

Foreign minister Wang Yi said the visit would provide a powerful impetus to the China-Pakistan friendship and deepen comprehensive collaboration.

This year is the China-Pakistan Year of Friendly Exchanges.

The two countries are scheduled to issue a joint statement during Xi's visit, and sign deals on energy, infrastructure, trade, finance and technology.

"The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be high on the agenda," former Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Zhou Gang said.

The CPEC was proposed during Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan in May 2013. The planned corridor will connect Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region with Gwadar Port in Pakistan. A project outline was signed in Beijing last November.

"The corridor is a new platform for China-Pakistan cooperation," said assistant foreign minister Liu Jianchao Friday at a press briefing.

After Pakistan, Xi will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia, for the Asian-African Summit. During this visit, Xi will go to the heritage city of Bandung, West Java, to attend events on the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

Xi will deliver a speech at the Asian-African Summit on the Bandung spirit in a new era, and elaborate China's proposals for Asian-African cooperation and hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.

In 1955, representatives from 29 Asian and African countries gathered in Bandung to discuss independence, peace and economic prosperity. The conference adopted a final communique containing ten principles that underlined respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and recognized the equality of all races and all nations.

"The Bandung Conference was a milestone for Chinese diplomacy as China, together with India and Myanmar, proposed the five principles on peaceful relations," Ma Zhengang, a former Chinese diplomat, said, adding that a number of Asian countries opened diplomatic relations with China after the conference.

The visits to Pakistan and Indonesia highlight China's attitude to its neighbors.

"The visit is a substantial step in building a community of shared destiny with neighboring countries," said Zhai Kun, professor of international relations with the Peking University, noting this community is not an abstract concept, but is built on solid platforms like the belt and road initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road fund.

The belt and road initiative, also known as the Silk Road economic belt and the 21st century maritime Silk Road, connect East Asia at one end with Europe at the other.

With 57 founding members confirmed, the AIIB is scheduled to adopt a charter in June and start operations by the end of the year.

Security, Peace to Headline Asian-African Conference

Jakarta Globe, Yuli Krisna, Apr 16, 2015

President Joko Widodo, center right, arrives in Bandung for the
Asian-African conference. (Antara Photo/Fahrul Jayadiputra)

Bandung. Security will be one of the main focuses at the upcoming Asian-African Conference, according to President Joko Widodo, who says special sessions will discuss the situation in Yemen, Syria and the South China Sea conflict.

“There are issues in Asia and Africa that require immediate attention. We need global stability. We need global justice. That’s what we are advocating for at the conference,” the president said as he inspected preparations for the AAC in Bandung on Thursday.

A total of 79 foreign delegations have confirmed their attendance for the AAC — to be held in Jakarta and Bandung from Sunday through next week Friday— including 28 heads of state and government.

Member nations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are scheduled to stage a meeting at the AAC to discuss conflicts in the Middle East, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Wednesday.

Kalla said Joko had spoken with several world leaders by phone, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, during which they agreed that peaceful resolutions to various conflicts should be sought during the conference.

Among those confirmed to attend are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

According to a Japan Times report published on Monday, Abe said Japan would use the conference to make further contributions to development in Asia and Africa.

Xi’s attendance, meanwhile, is meant to show the Chinese government’s intentions to contribute directly to maintaining the spirit of the 10-point “declaration on promotion of world peace and cooperation” produced at the end of the 1955 conference, according to Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia.

Observers have high hopes that the upcoming 60th commemoration of the first AAC summit in Bandung can produce significant outcomes — ranging from a concrete road map for an independent Palestine, to a higher geopolitical stature for countries from the two continents.

The Asian-African Summit, which will feature heads of state and government, is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Jakarta Convention Center, while a ceremony to commemorate the 1955 conference will take place in Bandung the following day. It will include a walk by the leaders down Jalan Asia-Afrika in the West Java capital, retracing a similar procession by the leaders of 60 years ago.

The anniversary conference is also expected to conclude with two other declarations: the Bandung Message, and the Declaration of Reinvigorating the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership. Both are expected to redefine and bolster the relationships and partnerships between Asian and African nations.

The 60th anniversary commemoration of the Bandung conference will also feature a host of other events on the sidelines, including the Asian-African Business Summit in Jakarta, as well as a “smart city” summit, a student conference and a carnival — all held in Bandung.

“I see in general the city is about 95 percent ready,” Joko said as he toured Bandung.

“There is still some paint missing. Some flowers maybe here and there.”

Nearly 10,000 police personnel will be dispatched to provide security during the series of events.

Palestine

The conference will issue three declarations, according to Darmansjah Djumala, the head of the Foreign Ministry’s policy development and studies center.

The first will be a declaration to revitalize the 1955 summit’s 10 principles, also known as the Bandung Spirit, which include, among others, visions of freedom, human rights equality, and cooperation.

The second declaration involves the strengthening of new partnerships among Asian and African countries.

“Asian and African countries will also issue a declaration to support the creation of an independent Palestinian state,” Djumala said during a seminar in Bandung on Tuesday.

Representatives from both continents fully support the Palestinian people’s bid for statehood, according to South Africa’s ambassador to Indonesia, Pakamisa Augustine Sifuba.

“The world has yet to see freedom and independence unless the Palestinians have their own country,” he said.

Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Fariz Mehdawi welcomed the call of support, stressing that the continued lack of independence for Palestine would be unfinished business for the AAC.

He added that the conference had inspired nations from both Africa and Asia to fight for independence.

“But here we are. We still have Palestine still struggling to get out of colonialism,” Mehdawi said.

Study center

In an effort to strengthen ties among Asian and African countries, Padjadjaran University in Bandung and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry have joined hands to establish the Asia-Africa study center.

“We have allocated resources to make the center work,” Padjadjaran University rector Tri Hanggono Ahmad said on Tuesday, adding that two professors and at least Rp 1 billion ($77,960) would be allocated for the center.

“The center aims to create scholars, including Ph.D. graduates,” he said.

The Asia Africa study center also aims to develop educational values in line with the Bandung Spirit, the Foreign Ministry’s Djumala said.

Both Tri and Djumala called on other Asian and African countries to work with the Padjadjaran center and create similar organizations  in their respective countries.

Related Article:

Palestine and Permanent Seats on Asia-Africa Agenda