RI Looks to China’s Poverty Reduction Model Through Transmigration Partnership

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is turning to China’s experience in poverty alleviation as a framework for strengthening its transmigration program, aiming to replicate successful strategies of industrialization and downstream development that have lifted millions out of poverty.

Indonesian Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said the cooperation reflects President Prabowo’s directive to accelerate poverty reduction while creating more jobs. He made the statement after meeting Chinese Ambassador Wang Lutong in Jakarta on Monday, April 13, 2026,

“We have seen how China relocated more than nine million people alongside the construction of hydropower plants and large dams, while also empowering communities. Industrialization and downstreaming opened more employment opportunities, reduced poverty, and multiplied incomes,” he explained, as quoted by Antara.

Indonesia plans to adapt this model across 154 transmigration areas. To deepen the learning process, the government will send experts to China, including ministry officials, academics from ten leading universities, University of Indonesia (UI), IPB University (IPB), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Diponegoro University (Undip), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Brawijaya University (UB), Airlangga University (Unair), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), and Hasanuddin University (Unhas), as well as representatives of transmigrant communities.

The two countries also discussed establishing a Center of Excellence for poverty alleviation in Papua, focusing on food security, energy, and water. The initiative is being coordinated with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and includes a planned grant from the Chinese government.

“China has shown strong interest, with delegations already conducting surveys in Papua. They are eager to realize this Center of Excellence soon,” Minister Iftitah said.

Ambassador Wang Lutong emphasized that the collaboration is designed to enhance technological capacity and create more employment opportunities for Indonesians, particularly the younger generation. “All of this is designed to improve technology and generate more jobs for Indonesia’s youth,” he concluded. ***