JAKARTA’s massive traffic congestion in a daybreak time in mid March 2015 did not hamper representatives from the Guangzhou Municipal Government to render a hospitality visit to the Jakarta Capital Cities Authorities. Chaired by Deputy Secretary General Diao Ai Lin, the representation included the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director Huirong Zheng, Vice Consul Ma Mance and Chinese-language interpreter Jun Zhou.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Jakarta Capital City Deputy Governor on Trade, Industry and Transportation, Sutanto. Along with Sutanto, present on the day there were representatives from the Jakarta Capital City’s Division for International Cooperation, including its head Shinta Nidyawati and his deputy Jackson D. Sitorus.
Among matters related to the Jakarta and Guangzhou possible cooperation in trading, cultural and transportation, both parties also exchanged views and opinions on how to develop mutual benefits when these two big cities are connected within the framework of ‘Friendship City”.
Long history of Jakarta and Guangzhou
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, will host 2018 Asian Games and that’s why Diao Ai Lin, was pleased to congratulate his Indonesian counterpart Sutanto for Jakarta’s important role in an international sport event. He also briefed Sutanto over his personal impression on Jakarta as an internationally acclaimed huge harbour since the 15th century: Sunda Kelapa Harbor.
As Guangzhou has been becoming the largest and the most dynamic city in the southern part of Mainland China with its 2,228-year-old history, its municipal government also discussed with Jakarta Authorities about the possibility of harbouring a Friendship City between Jakarta and Guangzhou.
Sutanto warmly welcomed the initiative proposed by Mr. Diao, expressed that an official letter of invitation to Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama would be soon issued by Guangzhou Authorities to materialize this proposal.
Sutanto also expressed enthusiasm over Mr. Diao’s invitation to visit Guangzhou to learn about railway traffic management system and related matters on MRT.
Cooperation to boost culture and education will also be, some of the interesting issues to be discussed between Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and his Chinese counterpart, when he will officially visit Guangzhou.
