The Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train is a symbol of cooperation between Indonesia and China

China is following Indonesia's plan to continue the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train to Surabaya, East Java.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Whoosh crew greets passengers who will board the train at Halim Station, East Jakarta, on Friday (9/2/2024). The public's enthusiasm for using the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train mode has increased during long holidays.

SURABAYA, KOMPAS — The government of the People's Republic of China continues to follow developments in Indonesia's plans to continue the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project to Surabaya, East Java. Apart from that, a number of economic cooperation plans will continue to be implemented.

"The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train is a symbolic project of cooperation between Indonesia and China. "I am sure that the project will improve people's welfare," said the PRC Consul General in Surabaya Xu Yong in a routine press conference with the mass media in Surabaya, Monday (22/4/2024).

Through his Instagram account on Monday, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that Indonesia is continuing its strong friendship and constructive cooperation with China. Indonesia is grateful for China's full support of several projects and collaborations that have been organized.

Also read: China Offers Regional Benefits and Challenges

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Residents are searching for their train according to the tickets they purchased at Halim Station, East Jakarta, on Sunday (7/4/2024). PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) operates 52 Whoosh trips per day during the Lebaran holiday season.

The Jakarta-Bandung fast train has been realized. The number of passengers has increased since its launch until last Eid.

"This is also proof that this project should be continued to Surabaya," said Luhut.

To ensure cooperation continues and becomes closer, said Luhut, the two countries agreed to form a task force or task force. This could refer to the formation of a consortium within PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), as the Whoosh operator for the Jakarta-Bandung route.

"We can follow up on this strategic cooperation in the near future," wrote Luhut.

Also read: Whoosh Fast Train Dominated by Tourist and Business Passengers Ahead of Eid

Regarding this, according to Xu, China will encourage companies from both countries to collaborate. "We continue to follow the process," he said.

Quoting the KCIC website, Whoosh is included in the National Strategic Project (PSN). This is stated in Presidential Regulation Number 3 of 2016 regarding the Acceleration of PSN Implementation.

The KCIC project is without state financial assistance and government guarantees. Funding comes from a 75% loan from the China Development Bank and 25% from the shareholders' capital contributions, namely PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia or PSBI (60%) and Beijing Yawan HSR Co Ltd (40%).

AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

The Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Surabaya, Xu Yong, in a routine press conference with the media in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday (22/4/2024). China emphasizes its desire to strengthen and solidify cooperation with Indonesia, including in Surabaya and East Java.

Still related to cooperation, Xu supports the desire of the Zhuhai city delegation to come to Surabaya for the sister city program. Previously, Surabaya was a twin city with Xiamen and Guangzhou.

At the provincial level, East Java has established twin cooperation with Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangxi, Shandong, Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

Xu continued, the Zhuhai delegation had come to promote the city in Guangdong Province for investment.

The delegation invited Surabaya leaders to come to Zhuhai in the hope of realizing the twin city program.

"As far as I know, there is a food processing, new energy, and health company from Zhuhai. I am confident that there will be inter-company projects between the two cities and with communication, there will be cooperation," he said.

Also read: Momentum for the Emergence of Chinatown Tourism Village in Surabaya

Previously, Deputy Mayor of Surabaya, Armuji, received a delegation from Zhuhai on Monday (25/3/2024). The delegation was led by the President of Zhuhai Foreign Friendship Association, Guo Caiwu, and also included members of the Zhuhai City Party Standing Committee.

Armuji was surprised that Zhuhai was one of the cities that was the hometown of Chinese immigrants to Indonesia, including Surabaya.

Zhuhai is a city located on the west bank of the Pearl River estuary on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao bay.

Zhuhai is connected by bridge with Hong Kong and Macau. The population is like Surabaya, around 3 million people.

"There is a similarity with Surabaya which is connected by a bridge to Madura Island and is involved in the service and tourism sectors," said Armuji.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

A mural in the commercial and tourist area of Chinatown on Kembang Jepun Street in Surabaya, East Java, Tuesday (27/9/2022). As a coastal area, North Surabaya plays a strategic role in many fields. In the area, there are industrial complexes, container and passenger ports, military bases, and national shipyards.

In East Java, China through Hailiang Group is completing the construction of a copper foil factory in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) Special Economic Zone in Gresik Regency. This factory will be the largest in Southeast Asia.

China is also exploring agricultural cooperation, namely the planting of hybrid rice in Jombang. In addition, China is also building a cement factory through Hongshi Holdings Group in Jember.