It's a Wrap! Xi'an Hosts 2026 National Symposium and Congress of Indonesian Students in China
The series of events for the National Symposium and XIV Congress of the Indonesian Students Association in China (PPI Tiongkok), commonly known as Simkongres, has officially concluded in Xi’an. Carrying the spirit of collaboration and regeneration, this annual agenda successfully brought together Indonesian students from various parts of China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Wuhan, for an academic forum and strategic organisational decision-making.
Taking over the baton from the previous year’s host, Shanghai, the historic Silk Road city of Xi’an was entrusted to host the event starting on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The proceedings began with a Welcoming Dinner themed ‘Education, Immigration, and Consular Posts’ held by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Beijing at the Hilton Xi’an.
The opening ceremony was marked by the playing of the Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya. Mrs. Lestari Puspitaningsih, the Education Attaché of KBRI Beijing, served as the first speaker, providing an in-depth presentation on the Education Post programme. The session continued with Mr. Nandang Nurdiansyah, Assistant Attaché for Immigration, and Mr. Bayu P. Oktavianto, Second Secretary for Consular Functions, who introduced the Immigration and Consular Post programmes respectively. The highlight of the opening remarks was delivered by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia, His Excellency Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, accompanied by the Deputy Ambassador, Mrs. Dr. Irene, M. Han. Their presence underscored the government’s full support for the positive dynamics fostered by Indonesian students abroad.
On the second day, Friday, 10 July 2026, the symposium atmosphere grew more vibrant. Mrs. Lestari Puspitaningsih and Mrs. Dr. Irene, M. Han returned to deliver remarks and enliven the proceedings. The main session featured presentations from Dr. Wang Xiang Bing, Executive Chairman of the Belt and Road Indonesia National Association, who spoke on ‘Crossing Knowledge Borders: New Opportunities for Indonesian-China Enterprises In The Era of Open Innovation’, and Dr. (H.C.) Ponijan Liaw, M.Pd., CSM®, President of EPDC Training Indonesia, who delivered an interactive session on ‘Effective Communication and Leadership’. To round off the day, the 2026 Simkongres organised a City Tour for participants to visit iconic Xi’an landmarks such as Muslim Street, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower.
Moving into the peak agenda on 11-12 July, the Congress was held in a closed and confidential setting. The entire deliberation process was dynamic, involving delegates from various PPI Tiongkok branches. Simkongres 2026 was not merely a ceremonial event, but a strategic platform for the birth of new leadership and the strengthening of solidarity among Indonesian students in China. It is hoped that this activity will strengthen relations among students, expand networks, and generate various beneficial initiatives for the Indonesian student community in China.