As a landmark project of China-Indonesia cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR)'s sustainable operation over the past year has significantly enhanced the quality of life of local residents. It has also boosted Indonesia's industrial and regional economic growth, and played a crucial role in advancing the country's modernization and development.

Boosting economic development

The rail named "Whoosh" for its impressive speed is the first high-speed rail in Southeast Asia, capable of reaching speed up to 350 kilometers per hour. By October 2024, Whoosh had transported 5.79 million passengers, including 300,000 international tourists from 159 countries, according to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms that constructed the HSR and operates it.

Whoosh has enabled many local residents, who previously relied on agricultural income, to enhance their finances by opening food stalls and retail outlets.

It has not only slashed the journey time between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to just about 40 minutes, but also created more economic opportunities. Around the bustling train stations, new residential areas, traditional markets, and shopping centers have emerged, stimulating local economies.

Small businesses are thriving in the burgeoning community-based economic ecosystem surrounding the train stations, said Bey Machmudin, acting governor of West Java, according to Xinhua.

Promoting technology & talent training

Whoosh has not only become a symbol of friendship between the two countries, but also promoted technological progress and talent training.

Over the past year, 45,000 technicians from Indonesia have received training in high-speed rail technology, including engineering, welding, and machinery, with support from China. It has not only ensured the long-term stable operation of Whoosh, but also established a talent foundation for the future development of the Indonesian high-speed rail network.

The Chinese operation team is training 600 Indonesians for 23 positions to operate of Whoosh. Currently, 419 trainees have completed their qualifying training, and an additional 268 are in the process of receiving training.

In July 2024, local train drivers were already operating the trains at a speed of up to 350 km per hour, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia's technical management and operation of high-speed rail.

A model for cooperation under BRI

Whoosh marks the first instance in which China's high-speed railway system has been comprehensively implemented overseas, including the entire system, all its components, and the full industrial chain. This demonstrates the progress of China's high-speed rail technological innovation.

Furthermore, it serves as a model for enhanced collaboration between China and Indonesia, as well as with other nations, under the BRI framework.

The successful operation of Whoosh in Indonesia has aroused strong interest in Southeast Asia, and the enthusiasm for high-speed rail construction in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia is increasing.

"Indonesia has greatly benefited from the BRI, particularly through transformative infrastructure projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway," said Veronika Saraswati, director of the Saraswati Institute and a China expert, according to Xinhua.