Indonesia-China Promotes Safe and Impactful Digital Cities

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and China enhance cooperation in digital technology through the Indonesia-China Digital City and Security Technology Application Forum 2026 in Jakarta on Monday September 21, 2026. The forum brings together government representatives, businesses, experts, practitioners, and technology providers from both countries to discuss the development of digital cities and security technologies.

Chairman of the Forum Masyarakat Indonesia Emas (FORMAS), Yohanes Handojo Budhisedjati, said digital technology has become an important part of economic development and public services. He said the concept of a digital city should create a safer, more efficient, comfortable, and higher-quality life for communities.

“Technology is no longer merely a supporting tool, but has become an important part of economic development, public services, security, transportation, communication, and the management of modern cities,” Yohanes said at the forum. He added that technological advances must be accompanied by strong security systems, adequate data protection, and responsible use of technology.

Yohanes said Indonesia and China have significant potential for cooperation because their respective strengths can complement each other. China has extensive experience, industrial capabilities, and technological development, while Indonesia has a large market and growing needs for digital infrastructure and security.

He expressed hope that the forum would go beyond an exchange of ideas and lead to concrete cooperation through knowledge and expert exchanges, human resource development, investment, and business partnerships between Indonesian and Chinese companies. Yohanes also invited Chinese business players and investors to view Indonesia as a strategic partner and a long-term investment destination.

Meanwhile, Head of the Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (Bakom RI), Muhammad Qodari, said stronger technological cooperation should go hand in hand with the economic relationship between the two countries, which has continued to develop in recent years. He noted that trade between Indonesia and China reached 167 billion US dollars last year, with China remaining Indonesia’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years.

In terms of investment, Qodari said Chinese direct investment in Indonesia reached 3.9 billion US dollars in the first half of 2026, making China the third-largest source of investment after Singapore and Hong Kong. He said the economic cooperation should be communicated based on data so that the public can better understand the benefits of investment, including its impact on employment, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and local supply chains.

Qodari also stressed the importance of ensuring that economic and technological cooperation delivers tangible benefits for Indonesian communities. “The government brings data, the public brings trust, and the business sector brings real jobs; all three come together for one goal, namely the welfare of the Indonesian people,” he said.