Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China hopes the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) would further release local economic development potential and bring more convenience for local people, after Indonesian President Joko Widodo travelled on the HSR on Wednesday, hailing the new route. 

Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remark during a regular press conference held on Thursday, in responding to media's question on President Joko Widodo's praise of growing China-Indonesia cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

"China's high-speed railway construction is experienced and technologically advanced. The Jakarta-Bandung HSR is fast, quiet and smooth, and it is hoped that the opening of the high-speed railway will help ease traffic congestion and pollution in the Jakarta area and promote the transformation of travel for the Indonesian people," Joko said in a press interview. 

Mao said the Jakarta-Bandung HSR is the flagship project of China and Indonesia cooperation under BRI, and the project was advocated by the top leaders of the both countries. 

"The Jakarta-Bandung HSR is the first HSR in Southeast Asia, and is also the first whole set export of Chinese HSR product," said Mao, noted that the HSR is a successful example of regional cooperation in facilitating modernization, which will greatly boost regional connectivity and development drive force. 

The Jakarta-Bandung HSR connects Indonesia's capital Jakarta and West Java's provincial capital Bandung. With a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the railway spanning 142.3 kilometers will cut the journey between the two cities from more than three hours to just 40 minutes.

It is the first overseas high-speed railway project that fully uses Chinese railway systems and standards, technology, and industrial components. The HSR is scheduled to start commercial operation in early October.

Global Times