Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, recently went on a visit to China’s Sichuan Province to meet with Chinese party officials and businesspeople, discussing efforts to enhance cooperation between Indonesia and China.
In the visit, Puan engaged in bilateral meetings with key Chinese officials, such as Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC), and Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
NPC is the highest organ of state power of the People’s Republic of China. CPPCC is a political advisory body in the People’s Republic of China and a central part of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) united front system.
Puan also met with Wang Xiaohui, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, at the Wanda Reign Chengdu on May 31, 2024, discussing measures needed to foster closer ties between the two nations.
She expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Chengdu, reminiscing about her previous visit when her mother, Megawati Soekarnoputri, was the president of Indonesia. She highlighted the rapid economic progress in Sichuan while preserving its rich cultural heritage.
She also visited the Chengdu Deputies to People’s Congresses, noting the importance of direct communication with the public, akin to Indonesian traditions of engaging with citizens over coffee and local delicacies.
Puan emphasized the importance of the “sister city” initiative between Chengdu and Medan and encouraged expanding such partnerships. She highlighted tourism and herbal medicine as vital areas for enhanced cooperation, noting the significant influx of Chinese tourists to Indonesia before the pandemic and the potential for growth in mutual visits.
Further, Puan advocated for stronger educational exchanges, proposing student exchange programs between Chengdu and various Indonesian regions. She assured that the Indonesian Parliament supports ongoing and future collaborations, even as the country approaches its 2024 elections.
In addition to political meetings, Puan visited Dongfang Electric Corporation Ltd. (DEC) in Chengdu, where she was briefed on the company’s projects in Indonesia, including hydroelectric and nuclear power plants.
She emphasized the need for technology transfer and greater employment of Indonesian workers in these projects, underlining the importance of sustainable development.
Puan’s visit concluded with a commitment to supporting renewable energy initiatives and fostering a greener future through collaborative efforts with China. The meetings reflected a shared dedication to strengthening Indonesia-China relations, particularly between Indonesia and Sichuan province.
