East Java Explores Industrial and Technology Cooperation with Chinese Shipbuilding

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - The East Java Provincial Government is exploring cooperation in the industrial and shipbuilding technology sector with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

“It is very interesting, we can discuss many things, I have been listening a lot about the development of shipbuilding industrial technology in China,” said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa when receiving the Consul General of the PRC and a Chinese Navy delegation at the Grahadi State Building in Surabaya, according to a statement received in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday.

The activity coincided with a friendship visit and integrated training of the Chinese Navy’s training ship Qi Jiguang-83 and amphibious landing ship Kun Lun Shan-998 at the North Jamrud Pier of Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya from 2 to 6 August 2026.

Khofifah assessed that the meeting could be an initial step to expand industrial and shipbuilding technology partnerships between Indonesia and China.

According to her, the discussion is strategic because Indonesia is a maritime country with a vast sea area.

“This is important for transferring technology that can strengthen the entire capacity of the Indonesian Navy and the maritime industry sector,” she said.

The governor explained that Surabaya is a national maritime power centre as it is the location of the Second Fleet Command Headquarters, the Marine Corps, the Fifth Naval Regional Command, the Naval Academy, and PT PAL Indonesia as a national shipbuilding and maritime defence industry centre.

In addition to discussing the shipbuilding industry, Khofifah and the Chinese Navy delegation led by Fleet Commander Senior Captain Liu Zhanfeng also discussed the legacy of Admiral Cheng Ho, who is known for bringing the values of peace, cross-cultural friendship, and religious tolerance to the archipelago.

Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General in Surabaya Ye Su said the visit of the Chinese Navy fleet to Surabaya was the second since 2023 and reflected the friendship of Indonesia-China bilateral relations.

“I feel that East Java Province under the leadership of Mrs Khofifah in the fields of economy, investment, as well as society or culture and education has achieved very extraordinary results, especially more Chinese companies investing in East Java,” he said.