Visits China, Fadli Zon Explores Plan to Establish Indonesian Cultural House

RRI.CO.ID, Beijing – Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, explores plans to establish an Indonesian Cultural House in Beijing as a platform for promoting, educating, and conducting cultural diplomacy in China.

In a statement on Monday, the meeting was attended by Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia, Djauhari Oratmangun, as well as Indonesian nationals, including students and instructors of Indonesian language and gamelan in several cities such as Tianjin and Shijiazhuang.

“We came here to explore a location for the Indonesian Cultural House and to prepare for a cultural exhibition next year,” Fadli said at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing on Sunday evening.

Fadli noted that Indonesian Cultural Houses have previously been established in several countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Turkey, and United States.

Earlier, Fadli also visited Shanghai to attend the inauguration of a research center and cooperation in animation and video games involving University of Indonesia. He said the ministry also aims to involve the private sector, particularly Chinese cultural businesses, as a bridge for cooperation between the two countries.

In addition, Fadli, along with Director General of Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation Endah Tjahjani, met with Chinese arts and cultural industry players, including gallery owners, museum representatives, and production houses.

He emphasized that the ministry he leads is a newly established institution that independently handles cultural affairs. This aligns with Article 32 Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates the advancement of Indonesia’s national culture amid global civilization.

Moreover, the minister said Indonesia possesses vast cultural wealth, with more than 1,300 ethnic groups and hundreds of languages, representing around 10 percent of the world’s languages. However, he noted that this potential has not yet been fully utilized as a form of cultural diplomacy or “soft power.”

“So far, we have not given sufficient attention to our cultural potential. Now, we aim to develop the cultural economy and cultural industries as part of national strength,” he said.

He also highlighted the discovery of what is believed to be the world’s oldest prehistoric cave painting in the Muna Islands, Southeast Sulawesi, estimated to be 67,800 years old, as evidence of Indonesia’s long cultural history. Furthermore, Fadli said Indonesia has registered several cultural heritages with UNESCO since 2003, including wayang, keris, batik, angklung, pinisi ships, gamelan, pantun, Balinese dance, Saman dance, jamu, kolintang, and kebaya.