Central Java NU and Chinese Consulate General Forge Educational Cooperation, Gus Rozin Follows in Gus Dur's Footsteps

The Central Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) is strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in the field of education. Tanfidziyah Chairman of PWNU Central Java, KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin (Gus Rozin), stressed that collaboration between the two countries should not rely solely on the economic sector, but must involve the exchange of knowledge among the younger generation. “We hope that cooperation between Indonesia and China will not only rest on trade or investment. Education must be a bridge that brings together the younger generations of both nations so that this relationship grows stronger in the future,” said Gus Rozin in a statement on Friday. During the meeting in Semarang, Gus Rozin proposed a number of strategic steps, including the dispatch of Mandarin language teachers to educational institutions under the NU umbrella and the expansion of scholarship quotas for Islamic boarding school students. Additionally, Gus Rozin expressed hope for easier academic visa processing, as well as student and pesantren caregiver exchanges. “We also hope for more exchanges of students, lecturers, rectors, headmasters, and pesantren caregivers. That way, the benefits of cooperation will truly be felt by the community,” he said. The Chinese Consulate General, represented by Mr Ye Su, welcomed the proposal and expressed readiness to facilitate all the proposed educational programmes. During the meeting, Mr Ye Su conveyed special appreciation to Indonesia’s fourth President, KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), who was considered to have rendered great service in reopening Indonesia-China diplomatic relations while nurturing the spirit of tolerance and human rights protection. “We deeply respect the legacy of Gus Dur’s thoughts, which to this day form a strong foundation for the friendship between the two countries,” he said. Responding to the appreciation, Gus Rozin stated that the humanitarian values and mutual respect inherited from Gus Dur must continue to be nurtured through tangible cooperation in the education and cultural sectors. “Gus Dur’s greatest legacy is building relationships with mutual respect. That is the value we wish to continue through cooperation in education, research, and human resource development,” Gus Rozin asserted. Towards the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to maintain ongoing communication, with the Chinese Consulate General also inviting Gus Rozin for a return visit and planning a follow-up agenda in Central Java before the end of 2026.