On October 17, 2024, Mr. Fang Jiangshan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily, visited the GEM-ITB-CSU Indonesia-China New Energy Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Technology Joint Research Laboratory in Bandung, Indonesia. He was warmly welcomed by Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Rector of Bandung Institute of Technology, and Prof. Xu Kaihua, Chairman of GEM.

Accompanied by Rector Wirahadikusumah and Chairman Xu Kaihua, Mr. Fang Jiangshan toured the exhibition hall of the Joint Research Laboratory, as well as two engineering technology research centers and 12 research rooms. They provided a detailed introduction to the background and development of the Joint Research Laboratory. Mr. Fang experienced the innovative research environment and conditions firsthand as he explored the laboratory. Chairman Xu Kaihua reported that the laboratory represents a significant achievement in Indonesia-China cooperation, being the first scientific research laboratory built by a Chinese enterprise in Indonesia. Notably, it took only eight months from signing the cooperation agreement to the laboratory's official completion, and it is well equipped with the most advanced design and equipment globally. He emphasized that such a cutting-edge facility could only be established by China, representing a world-class standard that can potentially shorten Indonesia’s development timeline in metallurgical technology by 20 years. Mr. Fang highly praised the laboratory's globally leading research equipment, construction speed, innovative research capabilities, and talent cultivation initiatives. During his visit to the training center of the Joint Research Laboratory, he attended a class for the jointly trained master's program, where he watched “My Metallurgical Dream” and  "On the Hopeful Field" performed by Indonesian students.

At a roundtable discussion, Rector Wirahadikusumah expressed her gratitude to the leadership of People's Daily for visiting and thanked GEM and Central South University for their support. She mentioned that the Bandung Institute of Technology has developed a comprehensive 30-page plan for the future of the Joint Research Laboratory. She is confident that, with the collaborative efforts of GEM, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Central South University, the laboratory will achieve remarkable accomplishments in the field of science and technology collaboration between China and Indonesia and will soon develop into Indonesia's national innovation center. In the future, the institute plans to deepen cooperation in areas such as joint training of master's and doctoral students, joint applications for intellectual property, and mutual exchanges between faculty and students to promote cultural exchange between China and Indonesia.

Chairman Xu expressed his gratitude for the strong support from People's Daily, emphasizing that the visit from high-ranking leaders is the greatest support for the development of the Joint Research Laboratory. He described the establishment of the laboratory as a successful outcome of GEM's overseas model of "Science and Technology + Culture" soft power. Currently, the three parties are focused on actions to transform the Joint Research Laboratory into Indonesia's national innovation center, addressing the technological and talent needs of Chinese enterprises in Indonesia. He stated that Chinese enterprises should be confident and unafraid of technology transfer, investing in technology and culture while fostering strong ties with Indonesian partners, and jointly developing resources to root Chinese technology in Indonesia, thus promoting the localization of technology and talent for mutual success.

In his remarks, Mr. Fang expressed that his visit to Indonesia allowed him to feel the warmth, vitality, and development potential of the country. He noted that the Chinese people have a deep affection for Bandung, and the spirit of Bandung has always symbolized the friendly cooperation between China and Indonesia. He recalled President Xi Jinping’s major initiative to jointly build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road during his visit to Jakarta a decade ago. In the new era, under the joint efforts of the leaders of both countries, a new pattern of the China-Indonesia community of shared future has been established. Mr. Fang expressed his strong agreement with Professor Xu’s practice of “Belt and Road 2.0” in Bandung, Central South University’s actions to serve the initiative through science and education, and Rector Wirahadikusumah's perspective on strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries. He praised Professor Xu’s broad-mindedness and Rector Wirahadikusumah’s strategic vision. He was particularly moved by the Indonesian students’ performance of the song "On the Hopeful Field," reflecting on it as a memory of China’s rapid development over the past thirty years. He believes that through cooperation and hard work, the people of Indonesia can realize their dreams of a better life. He emphasized that mutual understanding is a crucial foundation for building a community of shared future between China and Indonesia, and that true collaboration requires a deep connection. People's Daily, as a globally influential media, is committed to sharing the stories of China-Indonesia cooperation and contributing to the construction of a community of shared future for both countries.

The event was attended by the doctoral team from GEM and the joint master's training team from Indonesia and China.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fang Jiangshan (sixth from left), Rector of ITB Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah (seventh from left), and Chairman of GEM Prof. Xu Kaihua (eighth from left) took a group photo

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fang Jiangshan (front row, seventh from left) and his delegation were warmly welcomed by the China-Indonesia Joint Masters Program team

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fang Jiangshan (first row, left) and his delegation visited the central control platform of the China-Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fang Jiangshan (front row, second from left ) listened to the report on the China-Indonesia joint training of engineering masters

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fang Jiangshan and his delegation held a discussion with ITB and GEM

Speech by Mr. Fang Jiangshan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily

Speech by Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Rector of Bandung Institute of Technology

Speech by Professor Xu Kaihua, Chairman of GEM