China's economic and environmental development in the eyes of Indonesian students

Nanchang (ANTARA) – ‘China’s approach to balancing economic growth with environmental protection is well worth studying,’ said Rayhan Adinugraha, an Indonesian student, as he shared his observations on the country’s ecological progress.

Over the one-and-a-half years he spent in Jiangxi, he travelled extensively to various cities and tourist sites across the province. From solar panels in rural areas to conservation efforts at tourist sites, he gained hands-on experience of China’s green development.

He said that ‘clean energy and environmentally friendly technologies have been seamlessly integrated into daily life, something Indonesia needs greatly in its development at this time.’

The 25-year-old is a student at Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power.

Before coming to Jiangxi, he already held a deep appreciation for China’s technological progress, as seen through social media content.

With his parents’ support, he chose to pursue studies in China, hoping to learn cutting-edge technology and the country’s development experience to contribute to the progress of his hometown in the future.

In addition to China’s ecological progress, Rayhan was also impressed by the urban vitality and everyday ease of life in the country. He observed that development was accelerating in both urban and rural areas, while a range of lifestyle applications made activities such as travelling and shopping very easy.

According to Rayhan, this connected environment allows him, even as a newcomer with limited Mandarin, to acclimatise quickly and engage in local life.

‘The number of Indonesian students pursuing education in China continues to rise in 2025 and is expected to surpass 15,000,’ said Stella Christie, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, at the second China-Indonesia University-Company Cooperation Summit in 2025 held in Jakarta.

The statement underscores the growing trend that more Indonesian youths are visiting China to see firsthand a country they had previously known mainly through textbooks and screens.

In October 2025, Rayhan travelled to Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China, where he studied ceramic art. In a local studio, he learned with skilled artisans, kneading clay, shaping pots on a potter’s wheel, and drawing patterns. With his own hands, he painted designs on unfired ceramic ware, carefully feeling each stage of the pottery-making process, stroke by stroke.

Wilbert Tanjaya, an Indonesian student at East China Jiaotong University, shares Rayhan’s view. He is impressed by the unmatched comfort of China’s high-speed trains.

This year, he joined a unique Spring Festival Gala held aboard a high-speed train. As passengers return home to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Wilbert entertained them with guitar games and introduced Indonesian cuisine, creating a cultural exchange moment at speeds of around 300 kilometres per hour.

Wilbert gave a striking example: the high-speed journey from Nanchang to Mount Lushan takes only one hour, whereas covering a roughly similar distance in Indonesia by car takes more than 10 hours.

This is a clear illustration of the gap in transport infrastructure.

‘I know the first high-speed train in Indonesia, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail, was built with China’s assistance,’ he said. ‘I hope more projects like this will come to fruition in the future, improving the quality of life for people in both countries.’

Ariella Tahali Fairuz Dyas, from Central Java Province, is visiting China for the first time. During the Lunar New Year, she attended a celebration in a village in Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province, eastern China, where she found herself among a lively crowd as she watched local villagers perform. Sharing in the festive spirit, she accepted snacks from locals and, with a warm smile, used gestures to start a conversation, a simple yet meaningful interaction that transcended language barriers and brought her closer to the heart of Chinese tradition.

When she arrived in China, Ariella already knew the country was highly advanced. What surprised her was discovering that it blends modernisation with a deep respect for tradition, a balance she greatly admires.

Through the lives and experiences of these Indonesian students in Jiangxi, they not only witnessed China’s development and transformation but also identified ample opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. Rayhan sees potential for Indonesia to work with China in clean energy and renewable resources, while other Indonesian students are enthusiastic about cooperation in technology, the digital economy, education, and infrastructure.

Together, they anticipate that China-Indonesia relations will grow closer in the years ahead. They agree that their study experiences in China have proven very beneficial, not only enabling them to acquire specialised knowledge but also to absorb the diverse cultures and witness the genuine warmth of the Chinese people.

Looking forward, they will carry their experiences back to Indonesia, serving as bridges for cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries, helping more Indonesians understand China authentically.