Indonesia Encourages Youth Diplomacy to Deepen Ties With China

Head of the ministry's Center for Religious Harmony (PKUB), Muhammad Adib Abdushomad, proposed leveraging the ministry's Youth Harmony Program to deepen people-to-people relations between the two countries.

"At a time when the geopolitical situation is becoming increasingly challenging, I believe Generation Z and young people should be empowered as ambassadors of peace and harmony," Adib said after the launch of the Indonesia Friends of Silk Road Club (IFSRC) initiative in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Youth Harmony Program is designed to strengthen young people's understanding of religious harmony, the use of information technology in religious affairs, and positive collaboration across faith communities.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia Friends of Silk Road Club, initiated by the Sino-Nusantara Institute, serves as a platform for collaboration between Indonesian and Chinese communities, bringing together youth, students, academics, and business leaders.

Adib welcomed the launch of the initiative and said it could help enhance people-to-people connections between Indonesia and China while contributing to broader efforts to promote social harmony and global peace.

According to him, harmony and peace are essential foundations for development and for advancing international cooperation initiatives. "Harmony and peace are extremely valuable investments. Without them, development cannot take place. That is why initiatives like this are very important," he said.

Adib noted that peace and harmony are often taken for granted, even though both require continuous effort and commitment to preserve. "That is why we need to create more ambassadors of harmony and ambassadors of peace for society and for the world," he added.

To support this goal, Adib invited the Sino-Nusantara Institute to collaborate in expanding activities under the Youth Harmony Program, including Harmony Talks, Harmony Class, and Tunas Harmoni.

He said these programs could further strengthen interactions between Indonesian and Chinese communities while encouraging the emergence of young global peace ambassadors.

He emphasized that people-to-people engagement is particularly important for younger generations and said the ministry is ready to support efforts that amplify the impact of the IFSRC initiative. "From the Ministry of Religious Affairs, I have already offered collaboration through the Youth Harmony Program," Adib concluded.

The proposal reflects a growing emphasis on youth diplomacy as a complement to traditional bilateral relations, with educational, cultural, and interfaith exchanges increasingly viewed as channels for strengthening long-term ties between Indonesia and China. ***