Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress Courtesy Visit to DPRD Jakarta
A courtesy visit by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress to the DKI Jakarta Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD Jakarta) deepened bilateral ties between the two cities, advanced dialogue on women’s empowerment in urban governance, and opened new pathways for sustained institutional cooperation facilitated through UCLG ASPAC.
The visit was held on 6th May 2026 at the DPRD Jakarta premises and was received by Council Chairwoman Hj. Rany Mauliani, alongside fellow council members and UCLG ASPAC representatives. The Guangzhou delegation was led by Li Xiaoqin, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress, and included Gong Hong, Chairwoman of the Guangzhou Women’s Federation; Deng Changxiong, Deputy Director General of the Guangzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office; Liang Yanjing, Deputy Director for Overseas Chinese Affairs; and Ao Jia, serving as English interpreter for the delegation.
Legislative Frameworks for Women’s Empowerment
A significant portion of the dialogue focused on legislative and policy frameworks supporting women’s rights and empowerment. The Guangzhou delegation outlined four key pillars underpinning its approach: legislation, oversight, decision-making, and appointment and removal processes.The delegation stressed the importance of oversight through regular supervision mechanisms and the rule of law in areas including economic development.
Jakarta’s delegation, shared its own regulatory landscape for women. legislative protections place particular emphasis on the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Both delegations acknowledged that increasing women’s political participation requires sustained effort, including cadre development within political parties and stronger public advocacy for gender equality.
Both sides recognised the particular complexity of addressing women’s issues in urban settings, where the intersection of economic pressures, demographic diversity, and rapid technological change demands adaptive and responsive governance. The exchange reflected a shared commitment to placing women’s wellbeing at the centre of city policy.
Outcomes and the Path Forward
The courtesy visit resulted in three recommendations to guide the next phase of engagement between the two legislative bodies. First, both sides agreed to strengthen closer interpersonal and institutional exchanges, building on the rapport established through this initial meeting. Second, the delegations committed to conducting regular knowledge-sharing sessions, treating the Jakarta meeting as a foundation for a sustained programme of exchanges rather than a one-off event. Third, Guangzhou extended an invitation for DPRD Jakarta to participate in the 2026 Global Mayors Forum and the Guangzhou Award Ceremony in December, both hosted by Guangzhou, an invitation the Jakarta delegation expressed its interest in accepting.
Introducing the “Small but Beautiful” Project
After the DPRD visit, the Guangzhou delegation participated in a separate meeting hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Council for the Promotion of Trade with Indonesia (PPIG) at the Jakarta Exchange Center on 6 May 2026. Chaired by Long Huiqin, Vice President of PPIG, the session brought together senior representatives from Guangzhou’s municipal institutions, Indonesian civil society organisations, and UCLG ASPAC’s Asia-Pacific Secretariat, including Project Coordinators Mohammad Ridwan and Cemara Dinda. The central presentation was delivered by Wu Dengkang, Chairman of Guangzhou Fazhihai Holdings Co., Ltd., who introduced the Jakarta implementation plan for the company’s Wig Ventilation Project, a candidate for President Xi Jinping’s “1,000 Small but Beautiful Projects” international initiative. Technical Director Huang Limei complemented the presentation with a live demonstration. Guangzhou expressed its hope that the project could become the next pilot initiative under the Guangzhou–UCLG ASPAC partnership, delivering tangible community-level benefits in other similar cities in Indonesia and Asia Pacific in general.
