The two-day Asia-Africa Summit concluded on the afternoon of April 23. The summit adopted the Asia-Africa New Strategic Partnership Declaration which was signed by the leaders respectively. Chinese President Hu Jintao signed the declaration later that evening.

In line with the arrangement of the summit, the Asian and African leaders attending the meeting started to sign the declaration from April 22. President Susilo of Indonesia and President Mbeki of South Africa, the leaders of the two hosting countries of the summit, are to sign the declaration officially on the ceremony of commemorations for the 50th anniversary of the Bundung Conference on April 24.

President Hu Jintao made an important speech entitled " Advance with the Time, Carry on the Past to Forge ahead and Build up the Asia-Africa New Strategic Partnership" to comprehensively elaborate on China's propositions on the building of a long-term stable Asia-Africa new strategic partnership with rich implications that marches ahead with the time.

According to the Asia-Africa New Strategic Partnership Declaration adopted by the summit, leaders from 106 countries in Asia and Africa gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia for the Asia-Africa Summit from April 22 to 23, 2005 in a bid to resume the vitality of the Bundung Spirit as reflected in the Final Communiqué of the Asia-Africa Conference and to plan the future cooperation between the two continents in the direction of Asia-Africa new strategic partnership.

Leaders of Asian and African nations reiterated in the declaration that the Bundung Spirit with unity, friendship and cooperation as the core principles will continue to constitute the solid and effective foundation for Asian and African nations to develop better relations and address global issues of common concern.

Leaders of Asian and African nations put forward a number of views and propositions in the declaration on supporting the independence of Palestine, supporting and enhancing multilateralism, benefiting from globalization by all, dialogues between different civilizations, regional cooperation between Asia and Africa, exploring new means of cooperation and the urgency of promoting economic development in Asia and Africa.

Leaders of Asian and African nations declared in the declaration to establish Asia-Africa new strategic partnership, which will serve as a bridge for the partnerships between Asia and Africa on political unity, economic cooperation as well as society and culture.

The declaration proposed that the Asia-Africa new strategic partnership be based on the following principles and objectives. 1) The 10 Bundung principles formulated on Asia-Africa Conference in 1955. 2) To recognize of diversity between and within different regions, including different social and economic systems and development level. 3) To uphold open dialogues based on mutual respect and mutual benefits. 4) To jointly promote inclusive cooperation with all stakeholders. 5) To conduct pragmatic and sustainable development on the basis of competitive advantages, equal partnership, common identity and common vision as well as addressing common challenges with firm common beliefs. 6) To promote sustainable partnership through enhancing and reinforcing the existing regional and sub-regional organizations. 7) To push forward the establishment of a just, democratic, transparent and responsible society of harmony. 8) To promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development. 9) To promote collective and uniform actions on multilateral occasions.

The declaration said the Asia-Africa new strategic partnership should stress the promotion of pragmatic cooperation between the two continents in trade, industry, investment, finance, tourism, information and communication technology, energy, health, transportation, agriculture, water resources and fishery.

The declaration noted the Asia-Africa new strategic partnership should also address issues of common concern such as military conflicts, weapons of mass destruction, organized transnational crimes and terrorism. The solution of these issues is the prerequisite for peace, stability and security.

Leaders of Asian and African nations indicated in the declaration that they are determined to prevent conflicts, settle disputes through peaceful means and try to find an innovative mechanism for building up trust, settling disputes and resuming peace after conflicts. They are determined to realize the sustainability of the Asia-Africa new strategic partnership through interactions of intergovernmental forums, sub-regional organizations and civil exchanges.

The declaration said the leaders are determined to hold the following meetings to make the Asia-Africa new strategic partnership regular: state or government leaders' summit to be held every four years, foreign ministers' meeting to be held every two years and ministerial meetings for various fields and technical meetings depending on specific situations. A business summit will go parallel with the state or government leaders' summit to be held every four years.

The summit also adopted the Asian and African Leaders' Joint Statement on Tsunami, Earthquake and Other Natural Disasters. The statement said Asian and African nations are determined to develop early warning system, establish and promote national early warning systems, explore the methods and means to promote the effect of collective actions, try to create the culture of reducing disaster risks in all walks of life, encourage closer exchanges between Asian and African experts and encourage the international community to continue to provide technical and financial assistance to disaster-hit countries for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

President Mbeki of South Africa and President Susilo of Indonesia, the leaders of the two hosting countries of the Asia-Africa summit delivered a speech respectively on the closing ceremony and highly commented the achievements of the summit.