August 11, 2026 | Yogyakarta – UCLG ASPAC, together with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Surabaya, and the Yogyakarta City Government, co-organised the China–Indonesia Dialogue on Local Government Cooperation 2026, under the theme “Set Sail on a New Voyage: Local Cooperation for Building a China–Indonesia Community with a Shared Future.” The dialogue directly connected local governments in Indonesia and China, facilitating firsthand discussions on potential areas of cooperation and bringing collaboration opportunities closer to implementation.
This dialogue commenced with insightful remarks from Mr. Yang Wanming, President of CPAFFC; Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC; H.E. Mr. Ye Su, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Surabaya; Mr. Wawan Harmawan, Vice Mayor of Yogyakarta; and Mr. Ghofar Ismail, Head of International Affairs and Investment Office, Government of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The Dialogue was also positioned within the broader effort to localise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, recognising that cooperation among cities and local governments is essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable regional development.
Seven Shared Commitments
Commitment of cities and local governments was further formalised through the signing of the Board of Commitment and Cooperation, which articulated seven shared commitments: strengthening friendship and mutual trust; fostering practical cooperation; advancing sustainable development; promoting good local governance; encouraging people-to-people exchanges; building a shared future; and sharing knowledge and best practices.
Bringing City-to-City Partnership Closer to Reality
Through two thematic sessions, participating cities and local governments from both countries highlighted their respective regional strengths and explored potential areas for collaboration.
| Thematic Sessions | Participating Cities from Indonesia | Participating Cities from China |
| Expanding practical cooperation and promoting mutually beneficial outcomes for local development | Probolinggo, Klaten, North Minahasa | Changsha, Yunnan, Bayannur (together with the One-Stop Overseas Service Base Northern China) |
| Strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, and environmental sustainability | Jambi, Kendari, Pangkal Pinang, Malang | Dezhou, Nanchong (together with the Indonesia–China Friendship Association, Asian Affairs of the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries) |
Poverty Alleviation: Another Pathway for Cooperation
The dialogue also featured a Poverty Alleviation Seminar, held in a hybrid format with more than 100 participants attending in person and 100 joining online.
From presentations of Mr. Xu Bo, Chief of the Foreign Affairs Section, General Office of Beijing Mentougou District People’s Government; Ms. Qian Lixia, Vice Mayor of Changsha Municipal People’s Government; and Mr. Wisnu S. Nugroho, National Team for the Acceleration of Poverty Reduction, with Mr. Agus Tri Haryono, Head of the Regional Development Planning Board of Yogyakarta City, participants explored local approaches to poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, access to basic services, and locally driven development.
Connecting Local Governments with Business Opportunities
Through the Interactive Thematic Matchmaking Session, Indonesian and Chinese local governments, businesses, and investors came together to explore cooperation opportunities across several areas, including trade and investment, tourism and culture, and agribusiness and healthcare. Participants moved freely between thematic cooperation tables, engaging directly with cities and enterprises that aligned with their interests.
The discussions also explored prospective cooperation between Yogyakarta and Urumqi across a range of areas, including investment, education, culture, tourism, the creative economy, technology, and scholarships.
Moving from Dialogue to Action
In the closing session, UCLG ASPAC and the Yogyakarta City Government emphasised that the Dialogue should not be viewed as the conclusion of a single event, but rather as the beginning of a new chapter in Indonesia–China local government cooperation.
As cities and local governments continue to explore opportunities for mutual cooperation, UCLG ASPAC welcomes the progress of Yogyakarta-Urumqi and Kendari-Changsha toward more formal commitments. More city partnerships are expected to follow as these discussions advance. Stay tuned for an updated list of partnerships!
