24
Apr
Sixty years after the Bandung Conference, China, Japan and India are opening their wallets, and perhaps their hearts, to woo Asia and Africa — signalling how developmental economics has upstaged the non-aligned doctrine that was the flavour of the day in 1955.
In his keynote address at the Asian African Conference here, Chinese President Xi Jinping, announced duty free access to 97 per cent items produced in the Least Developing Countries, that have diplomatic ties with China.
The Chinese President also attempted to bolster his country’s Soft Power, by offering to train 1,00,000 people in developing countries in Asia and Africa over the next five years.
He reiterated his country’s focus on integrating and developing the economies of Eurasia under the Silk Road initiative. China has deployed a $40 billion Silk Road fund, and has played a leading role in forming the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which will be used to develop infrastructure along the Asian leg under the “belt and road” plan.
Bolstered by its pioneering role along the Silk Road, President Xi advised industrialised countries not to tie political conditions to their aid to developing countries. He also called for injecting positivity in international relations, which should be based on fairness, and seek win-win outcomes.
At the summit, India also showed that it had fresh ideas to re-engage developing countries in Asia and Africa. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj noted in her address that considering they were part of its extended neighbourhood, India had launched the “Act East” policy towards Asia, complemented by the “renewed Africa policy.” India was also collectively engaging Africa under its flagship India-Africa Forum Summit, whose third edition would be held in October this year.
Japan, China’s main regional rival, launched its charm offensive targeting the Afro-Asian cluster that had assembled in the Indonesian capital.
“Asian and African nations are no longer Japan’s aid recipients,” said Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister. “They are now Japan’s partners for growth.” He pointed out that Tokyo would offer industrial training and technology to 3,50,000 people throughout the region. The Prime Minister added that trade deals under negotiations, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific “will all eventually head toward Africa.”
Xi-Abe meet
The summit provided an opportunity for a 29 minute, one-on-one exchange between President Xi and Premier Abe. At the end of the meeting, which analysts said signalled recognition by both countries of the need not to derail ties, Mr. Abe sounded statesmanlike. “The development of relations between our countries is in the interests of the people of Japan and China,” he observed. “By promoting strategic, mutually beneficial relations, we contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region and the world.”
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-japan-india-woo-asia-africa-in-jakarta/article7134168.ece