Wuhan, China — October 26, 2025. A delegation from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Diponegoro (Undip), presented its academic perspective at the International Symposium on “The Bandung Spirit and China–Indonesia Community with A Shared Future”, held from October 25–26, 2025, at Central China Normal University in Wuhan, China.
The symposium was organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Asian–African Conference in Bandung and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China, under the overarching theme “Carrying Forward the Spirit of Bandung: Promoting Solidarity in the Global South in a Multipolar World.”
Representing the Undip delegation, Muhammad Arief Zuliyan, S.IP., LL.M, delivered a presentation entitled “Reviving the Bandung Spirit: China’s Soft Diplomacy and the Reconfiguration of China–Indonesia Relations.”
In his presentation, Arief emphasized that reviving the Bandung Spirit is not merely about commemorating history, but about actualizing the principles of equality and mutual respect within today’s global order.
“Revisiting the Spirit of Bandung is not merely about remembering history — it is about reimagining equitable partnership in the 21st century,” Arief stated.
He raised a critical question regarding whether China’s current soft diplomacy represents an effort to translate the moral ideals of the Bandung Conference into a more balanced and respectful form of international relations.
Academics at the symposium further discussed how China and Indonesia are rebuilding their relationship not only through infrastructure and trade, but also through shared narratives of development, solidarity, and equality.
Arief highlighted that the true test of the Bandung Spirit’s revival lies in practical actions rather than rhetorical commitments.
“If China–Indonesia cooperation continues to uphold Bandung’s core principles — mutual respect, equality, and non-interference — the relationship can serve as a model for equitable South–South partnership. Otherwise, Bandung risks being remembered only as a slogan of the past rather than as a guide for the future,” he emphasized.
The international symposium served as a platform for scholars, practitioners, and researchers from various countries to reflect on the enduring significance of the Bandung Spirit in today’s multipolar world.
As the host, Central China Normal University expressed its hope that the event would further strengthen solidarity and collaboration among developing nations, paving the way for a more inclusive and just global future.
The participation of the FISIP Undip delegation reaffirms the university’s commitment to enhancing international academic networks and contributing to global discussions on justice, peace, and international cooperation.
