The success of the Bandung Conference 60 years ago marked the start of a new era for Asian and African countries, which emerged on the global stage as an independent political force for the first time. Great changes have taken place in the international community since then.
 

On April 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the Asian-African Summit 2015 in Jakarta, Indonesia, that proposed greater cooperation between Asia and Africa, the construction of a community of common human destiny, and working for the benefit of people in Asia and Africa as well as other regions. Now is the time for China, Asia and Africa to deepen cooperation.
 

To start with, the strategic significance of the “intermediate zone” has become increasingly obvious. In recent years, the international pattern has undergone rapid changes. The economies of Western countries have consistently declined, and in 2013, their share of global output dipped below half for the first time in history.

At the same time, emerging economies are constantly growing. The BRICS nations-China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa-account for around 50 percent of world economic growth. Historical experience has shown that shifts in the balance of international power are usually accompanied by friction and wars between major powers.
 

Currently, the prospect of a world war between traditional and emerging great powers is unlikely considering the deterrent effects of mutually assured nuclear destruction and economic interdependence. However, contests and conflicts will increasingly play out in other fields, and the “intermediate zone” will become an important focus for major powers. Asian, African and Latin American countries, which account for three-quarters of the nations in the world, 67 percent of global land area and 77 percent of the world’s population, are a factor that is critical to success in the contest among great powers. The “intermediate zone” is an important bulwark of sustainable economic development. By controlling a larger portion of this region, great powers can achieve a bigger market share and have access to more sources of raw materials.
 

The “intermediate zone” is mainly made up of Asian, African and Latin American countries, most of which are in the process of modernization. These countries struggle with political transition, economic development and class conflicts. Mass protests and social crises will result if these issues are improperly addressed. Western countries may achieve their strategic goals through various means, including diplomatic isolation, network attacks, economic sanctions and “Color Revolutions.” The exacerbation of turmoil currently taking place in countries like Iran, Libya, Sudan, Venezuela and Syria is to some extent the result of games among great powers.  
 

Furthermore, China needs to strengthen unity and cooperation with Asian and African countries. As its influence grows, China is working to establish a new type of international relationship based on mutually beneficial cooperation and the development of a fair and rational international order.
 

Asian and African countries are trustworthy political allies in China’s rise. China needs alliances around the world to maintain its national interests and world peace. Unlike Western powers, about which China has few strategic illusions, Asian and African countries are natural friends. These countries once suffered from Western colonialism and now face developmental tasks that are similar or the same. Most developing countries have a sincere desire for China to achieve prosperity and have expressed determination to jointly confront hegemony and power politics. China also needs support from Asian and African countries in order to expand diplomatic space and promote its international status.
 

 Emerging markets offer an important opportunity for China to realize industrial upgrading and economic restructuring. Occupying a middle position in the global industrial structure, China has entered a key period of transformation and upgrading of industrial structure. For various reasons, such as the Western economic recession and heightened protectionism, Western markets can do little to facilitate China’s economic transformation.
 

By contrast, emerging markets have larger potential for economic growth. Emerging markets and developing countries account for 70 percent of global economic growth. China should follow the trend and treat developing countries as important cooperative partners in the pursuit of steady and rapid development. Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce showed that in 2012 China’s trade proportion in developing countries rose by 6.2 percent.
 

In recent years, exploring emerging markets has enabled China to establish brands with international influence, such as Huawei and Great Wall Motor. It is for this reason that China needs to intensify economic cooperation with emerging markets while expanding domestic markets in order to develop high-end manufacturing and achieve industrial upgrading. Asian and African countries are China’s important potential partners in the proposed “One Belt and One Road” initiative.
 

Finally, it is necessary to explore a new paradigm for new-type cooperation and deepen the partnership between China and countries in Asia and Africa. As Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out, Asian and African countries should adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and common development, deepen regional and trans-regional cooperation and establish a new comprehensive and multi-level pattern of Asia-Africa cooperation.     
 

At present, China is focusing on and intervening in world affairs with its rapid economic development and increasing demand for energy. The exchanges between China and countries in Asia and Africa should be based on the new paradigm of cooperation, which follows the principle of advocating fairness and justice as well as maintaining and achieving national interests.

 

Tian Wenlin is an associate research fellow from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.