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China is seeking to play a much bigger regional role by pushing forward new projects connecting the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, and the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Photo: EPA

President Xi Jinping says the age of Asia and Africa has arrived

New world order should reflect the growing influence of the two continents, says Chinese president

Xi Jinping

President Xi Jinping yesterday called for the creation of a fairer international order that reflects the growing influence of Asian and African countries.

Speaking at a meeting of Asian and African leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia, Xi said the regions should build a new international order that was "more just and equitable".

Xi suggested the age of Asia and Africa, which together account for about half of the world's growth, had arrived.

In his speech for the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, he urged industrialised countries to boost aid to developing countries without imposing political conditions, and emphasised that a new type of international relations must be structured by win-win cooperation.

He said China would grant the least developed countries with which it had diplomatic ties the privilege of free duty on 97 per cent of imported products, and it would continue to push the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) chats with delegates, following a group photo before the start of the Asian-African Conference. Photo: Reuters
China is seeking to play a much bigger regional role by pushing forward new projects such as the construction of a modern overland "Silk Road" and maritime trade routes connecting the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, and the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

While China's rapid rise has changed power relationships in the international community, provoking some regional concerns, developed and developing countries alike are increasingly affected by Beijing's policies.

It is widely expected that China will use the new investment bank, which will be set up by the end of this year with 57 founding members, to finance the building of the routes.

Xi said China would provide training for 100,000 people from developing countries in Asia and Africa over the next five years.

The first Asian-African Conference - attended by leaders and representatives from 29 countries in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955 - was held on the back of increasing frustration over an international order defined by the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Those countries, most of them newly independent and opposed to colonialism, had sought to stay out of the confrontation, while China at that time did its best to keep Asia from falling under the strong influence of the United States.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Age of Asia and Africa has arrived: Xi
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