China's High-Speed Rail Shines in Southeast Asia: The Story Behind the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway

China's High-Speed Rail Shines in Southeast Asia: The Story Behind the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed RailwayThe concept of high-speed railway projects emerged in the last century and was later experimentally built by Japan and France, among others. Japan's Shinkansen is likely familiar to many, and it can be considered the progenitor of high-speed railways worldwide

China's High-Speed Rail Shines in Southeast Asia: The Story Behind the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway

Every Chinese New Year, foreigners marvel at the migration of hundreds of millions of people in China and the countless trains crisscrossing the country. This includes the green trains that have been traveling north and south since the last century, as well as our high-speed trains. Especially when witnessing dozens of high-speed trains lying in wait on the tracks at major transportation hubs like Wuhan Station and Zhengzhou Station, a sense of national pride washes over us. We now possess high-speed rail technology with completely independent intellectual property rights. China's high-speed rail is now a shining international calling card, attracting significant global attention on the world stage. As the saying goes, "If you want to get rich, build roads first." Other countries understand this principle, and many have turned their attention to China's high-speed rail. The successful commissioning of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, built by China in 2022, has further captured the world's attention. This high-speed rail project, fully tailored to local climate conditions and the needs of the region, has attracted global interest with its exceptional cost-effectiveness. If you understand the details of the cooperation between the two countries in the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project, you will understand that China's assistance in Indonesia's high-speed rail construction goes beyond just making money. It's about genuinely helping developing countries with their infrastructure development. A country's development, both its success and speed, hinges on infrastructure construction, and the most fundamental aspect of infrastructure is building roads and water and power facilities. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway clearly fills the void in Indonesia's railway construction. Some people are puzzled by China's seemingly unprofitable assistance in building high-speed railways for other countries. However, after the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway was completed and opened to traffic, they realized the issue was more intricate than it appeared.

I. High-Speed Rail and Assistance to Indonesia

The concept of high-speed railway projects emerged in the last century and was later experimentally built by Japan and France, among others. Japan's Shinkansen is likely familiar to many, and it can be considered the progenitor of high-speed railways worldwide. China's experience in developing high-speed rail is relatively short, only gradually gaining traction in the 1980s and 1990s. Although we started later, we are at the forefront of the world in terms of current development scale, speed, and technological maturity. Factors like a healthy and developing economy, continuous infrastructure improvement, and the real need for high-speed rail among the people have all propelled the rapid development of China's railway system, leading to a growing number of high-speed railway projects. China is now known as the "infrastructure maniac," a reputation built on the foundation of high-speed railways, expressways, world-class bridges, and other projects, reflecting our well-deserved international acclaim.

Naturally, other countries around the world are envious of this advanced high-speed rail technology. Of course, their envy stems from a desire for China to help them build equally convenient transportation systems. As a peace-loving and cooperative nation, China is certainly willing to assist. However, not all countries have the need or the ability to cooperate with China, especially those with a poor track record in international affairs, frequently breaking agreements. Indonesia, on the other hand, has a reputable record of international cooperation, making it the chosen location for China's high-speed rail project.

China's participation in the construction of Indonesia's high-speed rail project is mutually beneficial for both countries. For China, the project demonstrates its advanced high-speed rail technology and contributes significantly to its positive international image. For Indonesia, it provides significant advantages with China's assistance. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, the first high-speed rail line in Southeast Asia, is a landmark achievement. The most direct benefit is the reduction in travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from 3 hours to 40 minutes. Moreover, to adapt to Indonesia's local climate conditions, terrain, and other features, China has specifically tailored a high-speed train set for Indonesia. On August 5, 2022, the high-speed train set designed for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway was successfully rolled off the production line, with plans to transport it to Indonesia in mid-August. The three parts of the entire project: train set manufacturing, civil engineering, and building construction, track laying, and power electrification are all being completed in an orderly manner.

The completion and opening of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway will significantly enhance Indonesia's infrastructure. While the Indonesian-Chinese cooperative project focuses on high-speed rail construction, the process also involves the reconstruction of supporting roads, bridges, and buildings, indirectly improving Indonesia's infrastructure overall, including areas with weaker infrastructure. Additionally, during the construction of the Indonesian high-speed rail project, Indonesian workers have been employed alongside key technical personnel. This directly benefits local employment and contributes to local economic development. Employment is the most crucial aspect of livelihood, and Indonesian residents can directly witness the benefits the high-speed rail construction project brings them.

Finally and most importantly, the completion of the high-speed rail project will boost Indonesia's tourism industry. Indonesia, the largest island nation in Southeast Asia, boasts stunning natural landscapes that attract a substantial number of tourists every year. Once the high-speed rail project is completed and the basic transportation conditions are improved, Indonesia's tourism industry will naturally benefit. The benefits to the tourism industry will directly contribute to local economic growth, further stimulating Indonesia's economic development. Therefore, China's construction of the Indonesian high-speed rail project is immensely beneficial and cost-effective for Indonesia.

II. Did China Really Lose Money on This Project?

Cooperation between countries is somewhat different from cooperation between businesses, especially for developing countries collaborating with China. Why is this? Because China's cooperation with these countries goes beyond just financial gains. It's about genuine assistance, not just empty words. This is evident in projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, where China goes beyond building high-speed rail by fixing infrastructure along the way and rebuilding demolished homes. This is a significant blessing for local residents, who experience not only improved infrastructure but also a complete transformation in their living environment and conditions.

So, the question arises: Did China really lose money on this project? The answer is no.

1. Testing of China's High-Speed Rail Technology

Any significant scientific and technological achievement requires practical testing and the test of time. Since the launch of its first high-speed railway, China has operated dozens of high-speed rail lines without any major incidents. After decades of practice, we have grown increasingly confident in our high-speed rail technology. But what about other places? Different countries have their unique cultures, terrains, climates, and other features, leading to significant variations. As China increasingly takes its place on the world stage, it signifies closer integration with the international community. This translates into more international cooperation between China and other countries, and high-speed rail, being China's calling card, naturally attracts widespread global interest. The successful commissioning of the Indonesian high-speed rail has provided China with an ample opportunity to test the safety and reliability of its high-speed rail technology abroad. This is an invaluable opportunity for our high-speed rail technology to "practice" its international deployment, holding significant importance for us.

2. Promoting Interconnectivity between China and Indonesia

The successful commissioning of the Indonesian high-speed rail is a testament to the interconnectivity between China and Indonesia. Policy communication between the two countries is the foundation and the basic framework for cooperation. Discussions and negotiations within a mutually acceptable relational framework are beneficial for both sides' cooperation. Financial integration is the driving force. High-speed rail construction projects require substantial investments, primarily in the initial stages. Indonesia is committed to building railways but lacks sufficient funds to initiate the project. China provided timely assistance, enabling shared financial integration to promote development. Technological cooperation showcases China's role as a major power. China has generously shared its technical expertise with relevant Indonesian personnel during the high-speed rail construction process. This is not just about giving them the fish but teaching them how to fish. Naturally, the core technology remains in our hands.

3. Earning a Positive International Reputation for China

Beyond policy, funding, and technology, there's one more crucial aspect of interconnectivity: people-to-people communication. Why is the relationship between countries different from the relationship between businesses? The difference lies in public sentiment. In international trade, it's not just about profits; it's also about ensuring both nations' people experience happiness and satisfaction. China's high-speed rail construction project, from the project itself to infrastructure development, has provided convenience for the Indonesian people. Consequently, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has received widespread acclaim from all levels of Indonesian society. When CCTV journalists conducted random interviews on the streets of Indonesia, people expressed their gratitude for the high-speed rail project constructed by China. It can be said that the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project has earned China a positive international reputation.

III. Working Together for Mutual Benefit

The above content demonstrates the true meaning of "mutual benefit," a sentiment shared by countries that have previously collaborated with China. Collaborative projects bring benefits to both sides, offering advantages without any drawbacks, making it

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