China Uses Tea Diplomacy to Strengthen Ties with Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Amid geopolitical shifts and a push for stronger regional alliances, China is increasingly turning to cultural diplomacy to anchor its ties with Southeast Asia, using a centuries-old beverage to find common ground in Indonesia.

The strategy was on full display in Jakarta on Thursday, May 21, 2026, as the Chinese Embassy hosted a high-profile cultural event titled Tea for Harmony, Shared Beauty to mark International Tea Day. Gathering diplomats and guests from various nations, the gathering moved beyond mere ceremony to position traditional tea culture as a tool for modern international relations.

The event featured expert lectures on tea culture, intricate tea art performances, hands-on intangible heritage experiences, and curated tea-tasting sessions. These activities were explicitly designed to showcase the profound heritage of China's traditional tea culture while promoting harmony, coexistence, and shared beauty.

Speaking at the gathering, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong emphasized that tea carries deep civilizational meaning and conveys a message of peace that easily transcends national borders. He noted that the essence of tea lies in the harmony between humanity and nature, embodying the values of mutual benefit and inclusivity.

Ambassador Wang further suggested that International Tea Day should be utilized as a strategic opportunity to nurture friendships and further strengthen Indonesia's relations with other countries.

The diplomatic overture was warmly received by top Indonesian officials, who seized on the metaphor of tea to articulate their own foreign policy philosophies. Chairperson of the Regional Representative Council (DPD), Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, noted that the global celebration serves as a powerful reminder that tea can be a vehicle for international friendship.

"However, friendship does not mean harmony in uniformity, but harmony in diversity," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Sharing this sentiment, the Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, highlighted the role of cultural exchange in a stable society, observing that culture thrives specifically through open dialogue, adaptation, and mutual respect. Minister Fadli concluded that the exhibition successfully demonstrated how tea, an object so simple yet profound, can serve as an enduring bridge between entirely different civilizations. ***