This is a photo taken on April 17th at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, of a Jakarta Bandung high-speed train parked on the platform. On that day, the Yawan high-speed railway was in operation for half a year. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
In my dream, there is a red ribbon that travels through the land of the Thousand Islands. In an instant, it takes me to the mountains, experiencing the charm of flow and new changes… “A bilingual song titled” Red Ribbon of Yawan “with the theme of the Yawan high-speed railway has become popular in Indonesia. The song expresses the love of the Indonesian people for the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, as well as the profound changes it has brought to Indonesian society and economy since its opening one year ago.
As the flagship project of China Indonesia cooperation on the “the Belt and Road”, which the two heads of state personally care about and promote, the sustainable operation of Ya’an Wanzhou High speed Railway in the past year has improved the lives of local people, brought new highlights to Indonesia’s industrial and regional economic development, helped Indonesia’s modernization process, and became a vivid portrayal of promoting win-win cooperation between the two countries.
On June 17th, in the waiting hall of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, people took a photo with a model of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed train. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
The Road to Development: A New Engine for Economic Soaring
The Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway connects the Indonesian capital Jakarta and the tourist city Bandung, and is the first high-speed railway between Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The total length is 142.3 kilometers, with a maximum operating speed of 350 kilometers per hour. According to data from the China Indonesia Operations and Maintenance Consortium on October 1st, the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway has transported over 5.4 million passengers since its opening, including 300000 international passengers from 159 countries and regions.
Aliyev Saifuddin, Director of the Bandung Cultural and Tourism Bureau, said that during the Eid al Fitr holiday in April this year, the occupancy rate of hotels in Bandung surged to 86.8%, and the number of tourists to multiple attractions also increased significantly, with obvious economic benefits.
The opening of high-speed rail has improved the economic situation of many local residents who used to rely on agricultural income by opening food stalls, retail shops, and other means.
On October 11th, in Jakarta, Indonesia, passengers queued up in the waiting hall of Halim Station on the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway to enter the station. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
Before the opening of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, my daily income was only 100000 Indonesian rupiahs (approximately 2188.79 Indonesian rupiahs), but now it can reach 500000 Indonesian rupiahs, “said Tati Heriyati, who sells Sunda snacks near the Wanrongkalur station.
Acting Governor of West Java Province, Bey Triadi, stated that the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway has greatly promoted the development of small and micro enterprises along the route, forming a new community economic ecology. The West Java Provincial Government is collaborating with small and micro enterprises at Padaralang and DeKalur stations to launch more Bandung cuisine and tourism packages for tourists.
The Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway not only shortens the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung, but also drives the rise of new residential areas and promotes the growth of new economic centers such as traditional markets, shopping centers, restaurants, and tourist destinations, effectively driving the economic development of the areas along the route.
The industrial chain formed during the construction and operation of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, which spans across industries such as machinery, metallurgy, materials, electrical, electronic, chemical, and information, has also driven the leapfrog development of Indonesia’s manufacturing and transportation industries. Indonesian State Owned Enterprise Minister Eric Toshil stated that the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway project has made positive contributions to promoting the economic development of Jakarta and West Java between 2019 and 2023.
On September 13th, in Bandung, Indonesia, the Jakarta Bandung high-speed train stopped near the DeKalur railway station (drone photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
The Road to Sharing: Building an ‘unbreakable team’
Under the concern of the heads of state of China and Indonesia, the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway has not only become a symbol of friendship between the two countries, but also promoted technological progress and talent cultivation. In the past year, China and Indonesia have actively carried out technological cooperation to ensure the localization and sustainable operation of high-speed rail in Indonesia.
According to statistics, during the construction of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, about 45000 Indonesian people received training through the establishment of training institutions, Chinese employees’ mentorship, on-site training, and other methods. These personnel have accumulated rich experience in welding, electrician, mechanical operation, and other areas, which not only ensures the long-term stable operation of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, but also lays a talent foundation for the future development of Indonesia’s high-speed railway network.
Setiawan, a student at the Indonesian Railway Institute of Technology, was one of the first drivers of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway. In his 30s, he admitted that becoming a high-speed railway driver was a source of pride in his life.
On September 12th, in Bandung, Indonesia, Chinese high-speed rail driver Zhang Yue (center) gave hands-on teaching guidance to Indonesian high-speed rail driver Agus Deviano Widodo (right). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
During the operational phase, the project team is training 600 local Indonesian personnel for 23 positions as planned. At present, 419 students have completed the qualification training, of which 268 are currently undergoing follow-up learning.
In July of this year, Indonesian drivers successfully operated the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway independently at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, marking a significant improvement in Indonesia’s ability in high-speed railway technology management and operation. This milestone reflects the significant progress made by the Indonesian railway department in human resource development. It is evident that Chinese technicians are efficiently and orderly imparting knowledge to the Indonesian team, “said Eva Hyrunisa, spokesperson for the China Indonesia Operations and Maintenance Consortium
There is a signboard in front of the training and teaching building behind Setiawan, which reads “The future departs here” in English. This sentence is not only applicable to Yawan high-speed rail operation and maintenance students, but also to Indonesia, which has successfully entered the era of high-speed rail.
On September 12th, at the Wanrongkalur station platform in Indonesia, Chinese and Indonesian high-speed railway drivers of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway summarized and analyzed their learning of high-speed railway driving and maneuvering. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
A win-win road: polishing the golden signboard of “the Belt and Road” cooperation
As a landmark project of China’s joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” initiative and Indonesia’s “Global Marine Fulcrum” concept docking, as well as China Indonesia practical cooperation, Ya’an Wanzhou High speed Railway is the first time that China’s high-speed railway has been launched overseas with a full system, full elements and full industrial chain. Ya’an Wanzhou High speed Railway fully demonstrates the technological innovation achievements of China’s high-speed railway, and brings demonstration effect for more cooperation between China and Indonesia and other countries under the framework of the “the Belt and Road”.
In early September this year, Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Kariya Sumadi stated, “The Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, with its speed and cleanliness, has not only become a source of pride for Indonesia, but also for the entire ASEAN region.” He also called on other ASEAN countries to work together towards the development of urban public transportation, especially rail transit.
On October 11th, in Jakarta, Indonesia, passengers took photos in the waiting hall of Halim Station on the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin
The successful experience of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway has brought great inspiration to Indonesia’s future railway construction. We have agreed to form a team to study the possibility of extending the high-speed railway to Surabaya and negotiate financing plans, “said Indonesian Minister of Ocean and Investment Coordination Luhut in April this year
The smooth operation of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia has sparked strong attention and response in Southeast Asia, with increasing enthusiasm for high-speed rail construction in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway carries Indonesia’s dream of modernization and the vision of China and Indonesia working together for common development. The opening and operation of the Yawan high-speed railway is seen as a vivid portrayal and new starting point of China’s adherence to the principle of consultation, co construction and sharing with neighboring countries, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
On June 7, 2023, Setiawan, one of the first drivers of the Jakarta Bandung high-speed railway, took a photo at the Indonesian Railway Institute in Molifen, Indonesia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Qin