DKI Provincial Government Explores "Sister City" Cooperation with Shenzhen
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is exploring cooperation between the two cities or a sister city agreement with Shenzhen, China, for the advancement and sustainability of both cities.
This exploration was undertaken by DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo, who met directly with Shenzhen’s Executive Vice Mayor Tao Yongxin at Fuzhong 3rd Road, Shenzhen, China, to agree on a sister city cooperation between Jakarta and Shenzhen, targeted for November 2026.
“At present, Jakarta has established sister city cooperation with Beijing and Shanghai. We hope to draft a Letter of Intent (LoI) as an initial step, to be followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shenzhen,” Pramono stated in his official remarks on Friday.
He assessed that this cooperation could strengthen international relations while providing a platform for sharing best practices between cities, particularly in promoting more advanced and sustainable development.
“Jakarta, with a population of around 11 million people, and the Jabodetabek agglomeration area (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi) reaching 42 million people, faces issues that Beijing once experienced, such as transportation, congestion, pollution, and flooding. We want to learn from Shenzhen as a role model,” Pramono explained.
“We want to start with a friendship city as an initial step towards a sister city. In addition, there are opportunities for cooperation in technology and innovation, people-to-people connections, such as student and cultural exchanges, and the maritime sector,” Tao stated.
According to him, Indonesia’s strategic position in the global maritime route adds value to the development of this collaboration.
On the other hand, he also highlighted Jakarta’s challenges in the transportation sector, and Shenzhen expressed its readiness to share experiences through technological cooperation.
“We are open to sending Shenzhen companies to Jakarta, starting from vehicle electrification, development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) for public services,” Tao said.