Central Java NU and Chinese Consulate General Forge Educational Cooperation, Gus Rozin Follows in Gus Dur's Footsteps
SEMARANG – The Central Java regional board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) has strengthened bilateral cooperation with the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in the field of education. The Chairman of PWNU Central Java’s Tanfidziyah, KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin (Gus Rozin), emphasised that collaboration between the two countries must not rest solely on the economic sector, but must involve the exchange of knowledge between the younger generations.
“We hope that cooperation between Indonesia and China will not only rest on trade or investment. Education must become a bridge that brings together the young generations of both nations so that this relationship grows ever stronger in the future,” said Gus Rozin in a statement on Friday (24/7/2026).
At the meeting in Semarang, Gus Rozin proposed a number of strategic steps, ranging from the deployment of Mandarin language teachers for educational institutions under NU’s auspices to the expansion of scholarship quotas for santri (Islamic school students). In addition, Gus Rozin hoped for easier processing of academic visas, as well as exchanges of students and pesantren (Islamic boarding school) leaders.
“We also hope there will be more exchanges of university students, lecturers, rectors, school principals and pesantren caretakers. That way, the benefits of this cooperation will truly be felt by the community,” he said.
The Chinese Consul General’s side, represented by Mr Ye Su, welcomed the proposals and expressed readiness to facilitate all the educational programmes put forward. At the meeting, Mr Ye Su conveyed special appreciation to Indonesia’s fourth President, KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), who was regarded as having rendered great service in reopening diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China while also nurturing the spirit of tolerance and the protection of human rights.
“We deeply respect the intellectual legacy of Gus Dur, which to this day remains a strong foundation for the friendship between our two countries,” he said.
In response to the appreciation, Gus Rozin stated that the humanitarian values and mutual respect bequeathed by Gus Dur must continue to be nurtured through concrete cooperation in the education and cultural sectors.
“Gus Dur’s greatest legacy was building relationships based on mutual respect. Those are the values we wish to carry forward through cooperation in education, research and human resource development,” Gus Rozin asserted.
Towards the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain ongoing communication, with the Chinese Consul General’s office also inviting Gus Rozin to make a reciprocal visit and planning follow-up agendas in Central Java before the end of 2026.