By outdoor-nature-child.com On October 16, Xinhua News Agency reported from Jakarta on the significant transformation experienced in Indonesia due to the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a project that exemplifies the deepening cooperation between China and Indonesia.
In one of the most popular new songs titled “The Red Ribbon of Jakarta-Bandung,” a bilingual tribute to the railway, the lyrics reflect the Indonesian people’s admiration for this infrastructure. The song captures the profound changes the high-speed railway has brought to the nation’s social and economic landscape since it became operational last year.
Indonesia was the original proponent of President Xi Jinping’s vision to build the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road.” On October 17, 2023, President Xi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially inaugurated the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway.
As the flagship project of the China-Indonesia Belt and Road initiative that received personal attention from both leaders, the railway has markedly improved the quality of life for locals over the past year. It has also introduced new opportunities for Indonesia’s industrial and regional economic development, symbolizing the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway connects Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, with the tourist hotspot Bandung. Stretching 142.3 kilometers with a maximum operational speed of 350 kilometers per hour, this is the first high-speed railway in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. According to data from the Sino-Indonesian Operations Consortium, over 5.4 million passengers have traveled on the railway since its opening, including 300,000 international travelers from 159 countries and regions.
Aliyah Saifuddin, head of Bandung’s Culture and Tourism Bureau, noted that hotel occupancy surged to 86.8% during Ramadan this April, resulting in a significant increase in visitors at various attractions, showcasing clear economic benefits.
For many residents who previously relied on farming, opportunities have arisen through new businesses like food stalls and retail shops. Tati Heryati, who sells Sundanese snacks near the Dekarul Station, shared her experience: “Before the train opened, I earned only 100,000 Indonesian rupiah a day, but now I can make up to 500,000.”
According to Prov. Governor Be Triadi, the railway has significantly boosted the local economy, enhancing the growth of small and micro enterprises along the route. The West Java provincial government is now collaborating with businesses at Padalarang and Dekarul stations to offer visitors more local food and tourism packages.
Not only has the high-speed rail reduced travel time between Jakarta and Bandung, but it has also spurred the development of new residential areas and supported the growth of shopping centers, restaurants, and other economic hubs.
The project has established a comprehensive industrial chain involving various sectors such as machinery, metallurgy, and electronics, driving a leap in Indonesia’s manufacturing and transportation industries. According to Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, the Jakarta-Bandung project has made a positive contribution to the economic development of Jakarta and West Java from 2019 to 2023.
In terms of shared progress, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has become a symbol of friendship and a catalyst for technology transfer and talent development. Over the past year, the two countries have actively engaged in technical collaboration to ensure the sustainable and localized operation of the railway. Statistics show that around 45,000 Indonesian personnel have received vocational training during its construction, gaining valuable experience in welding, electrical work, and machinery operation, ensuring the railway’s long-term operation and laying a foundation for future Indonesian high-speed rail networks.
Setiawan, a student from the Indonesian Railway Engineering Institute and one of the first train drivers for the Jakarta-Bandung line, expressed pride in his role: “Becoming a high-speed train driver is a proud achievement in my life.” Currently, ongoing training programs aim to equip 600 local personnel across 23 roles, with 419 having completed the initial qualifications and 268 currently in hands-on training.
In July of this year, Indonesian drivers successfully operated the Jakarta-Bandung train at 350 km/h independently, marking a notable advancement in the country’s capacity for high-speed rail management and operation. Eva Hairunisa, a spokesperson for the Sino-Indonesian Operations Consortium, confirmed this milestone: “This achievement reflects significant progress in human resource development within Indonesia’s railway sector, showcasing the effective and organized transfer of knowledge from Chinese technical staff to Indonesian teams.”
A slogan displayed outside the student training building reads, “The future departs here.” This saying encapsulates the aspirations of both the Jakarta-Bandung railway maintenance trainees and Indonesia as a whole, as the nation navigates its entry into the era of high-speed rail.
As a hallmark of the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia’s vision as a “Global Maritime Fulcrum,” the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway stands as a critical project for practical cooperation between China and Indonesia. It exemplifies the manifestation of Chinese high-speed rail technology abroad, setting a precedent for further cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
In early September, Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi remarked, “The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, with its speed and cleanliness, has become not only a source of pride for Indonesia but also for the entire ASEAN region.” He also called for other ASEAN countries to join efforts in developing urban public transportation, particularly rail systems.
Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, indicated in April that the success of the Jakarta-Bandung railway has inspired future railway projects in Indonesia. “We have agreed to form a team to explore the possibility of extending the high-speed line to Surabaya and negotiating financing options.”
The successful operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has attracted significant attention across Southeast Asia, sparking growing enthusiasm for high-speed rail projects in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Ultimately, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway not only embodies Indonesia’s modernization aspirations but also represents a shared vision of collaborative development between China and Indonesia. Its successful operation marks a new beginning for deepened cooperation based on mutual benefit and shared development principles among neighboring countries.