Asia–Africa Engagements in Multipolar World: Revisiting 70 Years Since Asian-African (Bandung) Conference and Viewing Future

Panel Convenor(s)

• TI

  Takuo Iwata

  Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Panel Chair(s)

• TI

  Takuo Iwata

  Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Presenter(s)

• TI

  Takuo Iwata

  Ritsumeikan University, Japan
• SC

  Scarlett Cornelissen

  Stellenbosch University, South Africa
• 

  Huaqiong Pan

  Peking University, China
• LA

  Lloyd Amoah

  University of Ghana, Centre for Asian Studies, Ghana

This panel aims to reflect on the post-colonial history of Asia–Africa engagements since the Asian and African Conference (Bandung Conference, 1955) and its potential and challenges in the current context. Asia–Africa relations have been transformed dramatically in the twenty-first century. The major part of the Global South is composed of Asian and African countries. The Global South became more influential over time in the multipolar world order. Transforming Asia–Africa relations became a crucial subject in understanding the multipolar world order. To comprehensively grasp this ongoing transformation of Asia-Africa relations, we need to reflect on it based on the in-depth knowledge of the post-colonial history of Asia–Africa relations. The Asian and African Conference will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025. We witnessed significant momentum in reflecting on transforming Asia–Africa relations by tracing its history since the Bandung Conference and viewing its potential and challenges in our time. This panel discusses Asia–Africa engagements since the Asian and African Conference among experienced African scholars of Asian Studies and Asian scholars of African Studies, inviting specialists from other regions. This panel (potential book project) reflects on Asia–Africa relations in the 70-year time range and examines specific African or Asian countries’ engagements with the Asia-Africa collaboration.

Presentations:

• 16:15 - 18:00 GMT

  Transforming Asia–Africa Relations from a Reflection on Japan's Diplomatic Engagements with Africa since the Asian-African Conference
  

  Presenter: Takuo Iwata – Ritsumeikan University
• 16:15 - 18:00 GMT

  African Agency in Afro-Asian Internationalism
  

  Presenter: Scarlett Cornelissen – Stellenbosch University
• 16:15 - 18:00 GMT

  Gong Peng's Contribution to the Diplomacy of China-Africa Relations in the Early Period of New China
  

  Presenter: Huaqiong Pan – Peking University
• 16:15 - 18:00 GMT

  Africa-Asia Relations 70 years after Bandung: from solidarity to (sub)imperialist relations?
  

  Presenter: Lloyd A. Amoah – University of Ghana, Centre for Asian Studies