Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has capitalized on the opportunity to establish itself as a hub for international exchanges in Central and Western China, actively enhancing and expanding its foreign affairs resources.

The city has stepped up efforts to engage foreign entities and extend its global influence. Consequently, Chongqing's international network has expanded, enhancing exchanges with sister cities, strengthening partnerships, and broadening the avenues of friendship.

On May 8, 2017, Chongqing and West Java Province, Indonesia, formalized their partnership by signing a sister-city agreement, marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration across multiple sectors such as education, tourism, culture, trade, investment, transportation, and urban and rural development, as well as science and technology. This agreement is designed to promote mutual prosperity through collaborative initiatives.

West Java Province is rich in tourism resources. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

Located on the western part of Java Island, West Java is bordered by the Java Sea to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. As the industrial and manufacturing heartland of Indonesia and a major agricultural contributor, the province boasts a diverse array of over 500 tourist destinations.

In May 2017, Governor Ahmad Heryawan of West Java visited Chongqing to sign the sister-city agreement, demonstrating a strong interest in enhancing transportation links, particularly through monorail technology. Later in September, Rudi Mahmud Zafrullah, Head of the Energy and Minerals Resources Laboratory, explored potential collaborations in energy development with CSIC Haizhuang Windpower Co. Ltd.

Continuing these efforts, Iwa Karniwa, the Regional Secretary of West Java, traveled to Chongqing in May 2018 to further bilateral cooperation in education, tourism, environmental conservation, transport infrastructure, and the coffee trade. That same year, Chongqing hosted a promotional event in Bandung, the capital of West Java, highlighting opportunities in education and tourism.

In August 2019, West Java delegates attended the Smart China Expo in Chongqing, emphasizing the ongoing technological exchanges between the two regions.

The China (Chongqing) - Indonesia Cooperation Forum on Investment, Trade, Culture, and Tourism. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

At the third China Western International Investment and Trade Fair in May 2021 held in Chongqing, the Indonesian Ambassador to China, Djauhari Oratmangun, advocated for stronger ties in waste management and sustainable economic practices, emphasizing the critical role of educational cooperation. Concurrently, the China (Chongqing) - Indonesia Cooperation Forum on Investment, Trade, Culture, and Tourism took place, featuring a video keynote by West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil and a video presentation from the head of the West Java Capital Investment and One-Stop Services Agency.

In July 2022, Chongqing, in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and the Bank Indonesia's Beijing office, hosted the China (Chongqing) - Indonesia Online Business and Investment Promotion Conference, aiming to bolster economic, cultural, tourism, logistics, and aviation exchanges. West Java officials presented several strategic projects during this online event.

The China (Chongqing) - Indonesia Online Business and Investment Promotion Conference. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government