Serang and China's Weifang explore sister city ties for investment

Serang Mayor Budi Rustandi said the initiative follows a meeting with a delegation from Weifang and is part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral ties at the municipal level, supported by Indonesia’s central government.

“Today we welcomed the delegation and continued discussions on potential cooperation, including investment and education such as scholarships for undergraduate students and lecturers,” Rustandi said.

He added that all proposals would undergo further assessment by relevant local agencies to ensure they align with Serang’s development priorities and community needs.

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Rustandi said Serang aims to learn from Weifang’s experience in areas such as technology, urban planning and human resource development, with a view to adapting best practices locally.

“We see opportunities to adopt their advancements to improve our city’s development and competitiveness,” he said.

Representatives from Rising Capital, part of the visiting delegation, said the investment plan remains at an early stage and would be pursued under a sister city framework.

“The investment value has not yet been determined, as we are still awaiting further technical discussions with the Serang city government,” Director Roden Xue Ruiteng said.

The delegation includes companies from sectors such as information technology, legal services, banking, infrastructure, education and property development.

Ruiteng said Serang holds strong potential for future investment, citing its proximity to Jakarta and its openness to business partnerships.

“We see Serang as a promising city with strategic advantages, particularly its location near the capital and its willingness to welcome investment,” he said.

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Translator: Arie Novarina