Voices

“Under new circumstances， Asian and African countries should drive the international political order in a more just and rational direction and safeguard the post-war international order with the UN at the core.”

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said while addressing the opening ceremony of the 54th annual session of the AsianAfrican Legal Consultative Organization （AALCO） held in Beijing last April.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference， which has left a spiritual legacy of solidarity， friendship and cooperation among Asian and African nations， Li said.

In 1955， representatives from 29 Asian and African countries gathered in Bandung， Indonesia to discuss independence， peace and economic prosperity. The conference adopted a final communiqué containing 10 principles， which underlined respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations， and recognition of equality among all races and nations.

“Recalling that part of history， I feel proud that China provided refuge to the Jewish people who fled Nazi atrocities. The Chinese people also endured unimaginable suffering at that time， and understood the plight of Jewish refugees. There were many moving stories about their friendship with the Shanghainese which express to us the beauty and warmth of humanity even in the darkness of those traumatic years.”

Chinas consul general in Chicago， Zhao Weiping， made the remarks at the opening of the exhibition “Jewish Refugees in Shanghai” at the Sabes Jewish Community Center， in Minneapolis， on March 19. He added： “This exhibition is held at a special time， when the world is celebrating the 70th anniversary of victory in the Anti-Fascist War. It will help us revisit the lessons of the past and reflect on the importance of maintaining lasting peace in the world.”endprint