Yogyakarta and Shanghai Set to Expand Sister Province

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - The Governor of the Yogyakarta Province, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, received a courtesy call from the Consul General of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Ye Su, on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The meeting centered on a mutual commitment to strengthen and expand the long-standing "sister province" partnership between Yogyakarta Province and Shanghai.

Head of the Yogyakarta Investment and Integrated One-Stop Service Office (DPMPTSP), Ghofar Ismail shared details following the meeting held at Gedhong Wilis, Kepatihan Complex, Yogyakarta. He explained that such courtesy visits are a standard diplomatic tradition for foreign representatives within their designated regions.

"The Chinese Consul General in Surabaya has been in office for four months. This visit was an opportunity to introduce himself and bring a mission of expanding cooperation. Since Yogyakarta already shares a sister province agreement with Shanghai, the mission primarily focused on deepening that specific partnership," remarked Ghofar on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Ghofar noted that Shanghai, which holds provincial-level status, has a population of approximately 25 million. The city is a globally recognized metropolitan hub, playing a pivotal role in trade, business, investment, tourism, and education. These factors serve as a strong foundation for Yogyakarta to intensify its existing ties.

"The Governor expressed his desire to deepen the collaboration between Yogyakarta and Shanghai. During the meeting, Ngarsa Dalem (The Sultan) requested the Consul General's facilitation. This was met with a positive response, as the Chinese delegation expressed the same intent," he added.

The expansion of this cooperation is targeted for implementation within the coming months. Moving forward, there is potential for reciprocal visits from both the Chinese Administration to Yogyakarta and vice versa.

"In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the focus areas include economy, trade, tourism, and culture. The Chinese side views Yogyakarta specifically as a cultural epicenter. Our cultural heritage is our primary strength and a cornerstone of this bilateral cooperation," remarked Ghofar.

For context, the sister province agreement between Yogyakarta and Shanghai was established in 2016 and renewed in 2023. The partnership encompasses the economic, tourism, cultural, educational, and technological sectors, aiming to bolster cultural exchange, civil servant training, and investment promotion.

A notable symbol of this tie is the Yogyakarta–Shanghai Friendship House located in the Ketandan, Yogyakarta City. ***