Chongqing - Southwest China's Chongqing and Indonesia recently signed 14 projects in Jakarta with a total investment exceeding 4.1 billion yuan (about USD 580 million). These projects span various sectors, including automobile procurement, logistics, battery modules, steel smelting, green energy, mineral trade, and legal collaboration.

The deals were signed at the China (Chongqing)-Indonesia (Jakarta) New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Cooperation Conference on September 20, attracting over 200 representatives from various sectors, including industry, commerce, business associations, financial law firms, and media from both regions.

Zheng Xiangdong, vice mayor of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, opened the meeting by highlighting Chongqing's strategic role in China's regional development. 

He noted that Chongqing is the earliest city in China to operate the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), underscoring its unique contribution to the country's opening-up strategy. 

Zheng stated, "Chongqing will further enhance its role as a logistics and operational center for the corridor, promoting bilateral trade exchanges and exploring the potential for industrial cooperation."

Dave Akbarshah Fikarno, chairman of Foreign Affairs for the Golkar Party and Member of Indonesia's People's Representative Council (DPR), emphasized the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between Indonesia and China. 

"The rapid development of the ILSTC has provided a brand-new logistics mode and huge market opportunities for Indonesia's foreign trade toward China's western region," he remarked.

Dave Akbarshah Fikarno is chairman of Foreign Affairs for the Golkar Party and a member of Indonesia's People's Representative Council (DPR). (Photo/Wang Chengjun)

Fikarno expressed Indonesia's commitment to using this meeting as a springboard for deeper integration into the trade corridor, focusing on strengthening policy and industrial linkages and enhancing customs facilitation.

Liu Taiping, chairman of the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd., elaborated on the corridor's significance as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chongqing rail-sea intermodal train can directly reach major Indonesian ports like Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya. To date, it has transported over 30,000 TEUs worth more than 6.3 billion yuan.

Liu Taiping, chairman of the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd. (Photo/Wang Chengjun)

Liu added, "We will accelerate our local service network in Indonesia and enhance the channel's service capacity for economic and trade development. "

The event featured the "Quality Product from Land-Sea Corridor" exhibition area, which showcased over 40 types of Chongqing specialty products, including Chongqing noodles, Tongnan lemons, and Rongchang pottery. This display attracted significant attention from attendees.

The "Quality Product from Land-Sea Corridor" exhibition area. (Photo/Wang Chengjun)

The "Quality Product from Land-Sea Corridor" initiative seeks to enhance collaboration along the corridor. It will promote both the export of local commodities and the import of foreign products, fostering a dynamic exchange along the corridor.

Participants aim to include Indonesia's durian, coffee, and other specialties in the "Quality Product from Land-Sea Corridor." They seek to accelerate the development of the Chongqing Dry Port distribution center and establish display centers in Indonesia, allowing consumers from both countries to access higher quality, competitively priced products.