The Asian-African Conference marks its 70th anniversary this year, yet Popong Otje Djunjunan vividly recalls how different Bandung, and Indonesia as a whole, was in 1955 when the landmark summit was held. At the time, Popong, then a 17-year-old high school student, served as one of the young hosts welcoming world leaders to Bandung’s Homann Hotel.
Bandung hosted the first Asian-African Conference in 1955, bringing together presidents, prime ministers, and leaders from 29 countries and regions in a shared spirit of emancipation from colonialism and imperialism.
According to Popong, Indonesia has progressed significantly over the past seven decades through advancements in education, the economy, and transportation. Notably, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, a result of Indonesia-China cooperation, has reduced travel time between the two cities from four hours to just 30 minutes.
“Similarly, Bandung, now globally recognized, attracts countless international tourists,” Popong told Xinhua recently at her home in Bandung.
During the 1955 conference, Popong and nine other teenagers, dressed in traditional kebaya with their hair in buns, were tasked with introducing Sundanese cuisine, one of the most popular foods in Indonesia, and drinks to state leaders in English. Offerings included rangginang, colenak, opak, and beverages like bandrek and bajigur.
“We acted as hostesses at the hotel, greeting the guests,” Popong recounted.
She fondly remembers an encounter with then Egypt’s Prime Minister Gamal Abdel Nasser, who asked about bajigur. “At barely 150 cm tall, I had to crane my neck for minutes to speak to him,” she said with a smile, explaining the drink’s recipe of coconut milk, ginger, and palm sugar.
Popong noted that Indonesia isn’t the only nation that has been transformed since then. “Colonialism has faded, and now Asian and African countries are rebuilding themselves economically and politically.”
She highlighted that global development hinges on human connections, particularly cross-border ties. “International cooperation must continue, free from discrimination.”
Now 87, Popong served 25 years in Indonesia’s House of Representatives, specializing in education and culture, before retiring in 2019. She urges youth to embrace the Asian-African Conference’s spirit to contribute to progress.
“In this globalized world, we must learn from others, their spirit, work ethic, and discipline,” she said, taking China as an example. “There’s a saying: ‘Seek knowledge even if it takes you to China.’”