Indonesia to Open Consulate General in Chengdu, Strengthening Ties with China

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is preparing to expand its diplomatic footprint in China with the upcoming opening of a Consulate General in Chengdu, a move that underscores Jakarta’s strategic focus on southwest China’s fast-growing economic hub.

The initiative is expected to boost cooperation across trade, investment, education, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun said the plan gained momentum after President Prabowo Subianto signed Presidential Regulation No. 10/2026 in March, providing the legal foundation for the new mission.

“This reflects Indonesia’s priority to enhance strategic cooperation with southwest China, with Chengdu in Sichuan Province as its gateway,” Djauhari noted in a written statement, as quoted by Antara.

Speaking during a meeting with Sichuan Communist Party Secretary Wang Xiaohui on Friday, April 17, Djauhari highlighted opportunities in industry, downstream processing, renewable energy such as solar panels, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and battery ecosystem development.

He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people ties, citing education, tourism, and culture as key pillars. The birth of panda “Ksatrio” (Rio) at Taman Safari Bogor, he added, symbolizes the strong friendship between Indonesia and Sichuan, home to the world’s leading panda conservation centers.

Tourism prospects are also promising, supported by direct flights now linking Chengdu with Jakarta and Bali.

Wang Xiaohui, meanwhile, underscored Sichuan’s economic strength, noting its GDP reached USD 1 trillion in 2025 with growth of 5.5 percent, above China’s national average.

The Indonesian Embassy in Beijing reinforced this momentum through an outreach program in Chengdu titled “Indonesia Updates: Partnership for Resilience,” attended by around 100 representatives from media, business, academia, and government.

Djauhari stressed that the new consulate will serve as a hub to expand collaboration not only in trade and investment but also in healthcare, industrial transformation, energy, education, and tourism.

Embassy officials highlighted Indonesia’s advantages, including a large young population, abundant natural resources, and supportive economic policies. Education Attache Lestari Puspitaningsih noted growing interest among Chinese students in studying in Indonesia, supported by scholarships such as Darmasiswa.

Immigration Attache Herawan Sukoaji added that Indonesia’s “golden visa” scheme offers long-term opportunities for investors, innovators, and the diaspora. Sichuan’s industrial capacity -- spanning electronics, renewable energy, transportation, chemicals, and artificial intelligence -- makes it a natural partner.

The province also accounts for 10 percent of global battery production and maintains sister-province ties with West Java, while Chengdu has a sister-city relationship with Medan, North Sumatra.

The future Consulate General in Chengdu will oversee cooperation not only with Sichuan but also with Chongqing, Yunnan, Shaanxi, and Gansu. Indonesia currently operates three consulates general in China -- Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong -- while other ASEAN countries maintain more, with Thailand operating eight, Vietnam five, and Malaysia nine. ***