Yavang High-Speed Rail Boosts Indonesia's Economy
On October 17th, a high-speed train of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (KCJB) entered Padalarang Station in Indonesia.
"In my dream, there is a red ribbon traveling through the Thousand Islands. In a flash, it takes me to the mountains, experiencing the charm of movement and new changes..." A bilingual Chinese-Indonesian song "The Red Ribbon of Jakarta-Bandung" has become popular in Indonesia. The song expresses the Indonesian people's love for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and also reveals the profound changes that the railway has brought to Indonesian society since its operation.
The modern design and clever integration with Indonesian culture have made the Halim High-Speed Railway Station in East Jakarta a new landmark. The commercial areas on the first and second floors have taken shape, with fast-food restaurants, cold drink shops, coffee shops, and other business formats, which not only make travelers linger but also allow businesses to benefit from the "high-speed railway."
Similarly, at the other end of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, in the Bandung area, Padalarang Station and Decarur Station, under the "suction effect" of the high-speed railway, surrounding shops continue to gather.
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The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway connects the Jakarta Capital Special District, the strongest economic region in Indonesia, with West Java Province, the most populous region, and shoulders the important mission and function of connecting central cities on the island of Java, strengthening interconnectivity between surrounding cities, and driving regional economic development.
Liu Kai, a research assistant at the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University, believes that the large-scale comprehensive transportation hub in the Java region built around the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has formed a convenient passage through the economic hinterland of Java Island, directly promoting the economic, social, industrial, and transportation integration of the capital region centered on Jakarta and the economic hinterland of West Java centered on Bandung, with talent, technology, and other resource elements shared among cities along the line.
"The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway not only brings passenger flow to West Java Province but also drives the 'economic flow,' giving wings to development," said West Java Acting Governor Bey Triadi, who believes that the impact of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway on local community economies and small and medium-sized enterprises is very positive and also injects new momentum into Bandung, a famous tourist city.
Nia Niscaya, the chief commissioner of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, said: "Bandung is a famous tourist city with a comfortable climate and beautiful scenery. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has solved Indonesia's traffic congestion problem, which will help Bandung attract more international tourists, including Chinese tourists, to come and more conveniently experience Bandung's beautiful scenery, delicious food, and historical culture."
To enhance the travel experience, the construction and operation entity of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, Indonesia-China High-Speed Railway Co., Ltd. (KCIC), relies on Bandung's unique charm and rich tourism resources, actively exploring a new integrated development model of "high-speed railway + tourism." Tourists with high-speed railway tickets can enjoy free shuttle buses and discounts on entering tourist areas, continuously creating a golden tourism corridor.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has a very significant driving effect on Indonesia's economy. In July this year, after taking the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir said that the high-speed railway not only shortens travel time but also uses energy more effectively. By using electricity, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway can save 3.2 trillion Indonesian rupiah in fuel annually. Erick also said that in terms of economic contribution, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project contributed 865 trillion Indonesian rupiah to the domestic (regional) gross domestic product of Jakarta and West Java between 2019 and 2023.Indonesia's former President Joko Widodo has ridden the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) on multiple occasions, highly praising its safe, smooth, and comfortable experience. The Indonesian side has sent five commendation letters to the operation and maintenance consortium, affirming their work in operations, maintenance, and personnel training. Relevant data shows that with the help of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, Indonesia's global competitiveness has rapidly improved, climbing from 45th place in 2018 to 27th place in 2024, with economic growth rates leading ASEAN.
Interacting with the world and keeping pace with the times, the successful practice of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR's high-quality operation for one year fully proves the advanced, safe, stable, and applicable nature of Chinese manufacturing and technology. It showcases the achievements of Chinese high-speed rail technological innovation and infrastructure strength, serving as a demonstration effect for China to carry out more cooperation with Indonesia and other countries under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative.
Today, in the hearts of ordinary Indonesians, the Jakarta-Bandung HSR not only connects the two cities of Jakarta and Bandung but also connects Indonesia's present and future.
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