Jakarta, INTI - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing has strengthened cooperation with China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the fields of education and artificial intelligence (AI) development, aiming to enhance the technical capacity of vocational education to meet Indonesia’s industrial needs.
The collaboration was discussed during a meeting between Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia, Djauhari Oratmangun, and a Guangxi delegation led by Communist Party Secretary Chen Gang on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing.
Ambassador Djauhari was accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Irene during the meeting.
He noted that cooperation between Indonesia and Guangxi has continued to grow in recent years.
He revealed that trade between Indonesia and Guangxi increased by approximately 40 percent last year, reaching around USD 4.73 billion.
Several Guangxi-based companies have also invested in Indonesia, particularly in green transportation, as well as construction machinery and heavy equipment manufacturing.
Strengthening Cooperation in Education and AI
Djauhari explained that in 2024, Indonesia and Guangxi signed agreements on vocational education between Indonesian universities and polytechnics and Guangxi companies investing in Indonesia.
The collaboration is aimed at improving vocational education capabilities in alignment with industry demands in Indonesia.
He highlighted Guangxi’s strong potential in AI development, which can be applied across various sectors.
“Guangxi has significant potential in AI, not only for smart agriculture but also for healthcare, culture, and tourism. Therefore, I aim to further strengthen partnerships in these areas moving forward,” he stated.
Djauhari also emphasized Guangxi’s strategic role as a key gateway connecting China and ASEAN.
“Guangxi serves as a primary gateway for ASEAN-China relations, including through the annual ASEAN-China Expo held in its capital, Nanning. The expo has played a strategic role in strengthening ASEAN-China trade cooperation,” he said.
He added that he has attended the ASEAN-China Expo multiple times in Nanning, which has helped diversify exports from ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, to the Chinese market.
Rapid Development of AI Technology in Guangxi
Meanwhile, Chen Gang stated that AI development in Guangxi has been progressing rapidly and is being utilized not only in industry but also in agriculture.
“AI is being used to boost agricultural productivity, identify pests and diseases, and accelerate crop disease control. These applications can support food security,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the ASEAN-China AI Application Center has been established in Nanning to strengthen AI collaboration between China, Indonesia, and ASEAN countries.
Chen Gang added that the ASEAN-China Expo continues to innovate each year, including by promoting high-tech product trade.
“In addition to attending the CA Expo, I would like to invite the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador to visit various industrial zones and smart agriculture sites in Guangxi, so that cooperation in these areas can be further realized,” he said.
Currently, ASEAN is China’s largest trading partner, with total trade reaching approximately USD 1 trillion in 2025.
Two-way investment between China and ASEAN countries has also reached around USD 450 billion.
Guangxi, which shares a border with Vietnam, serves as one of the main gateways for trade cooperation between China and the ASEAN region.
Conclusion
The strengthened partnership between Indonesia and Guangxi highlights a shared commitment to advancing vocational education and AI-driven innovation. By aligning talent development with industry needs and expanding cross-border collaboration, both sides are paving the way for sustainable growth, technological advancement, and deeper economic integration within the ASEAN–China ecosystem.
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