Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun gives a speech during the soft launch of the movie Assalamualaikum Beijing 2: Lost in Ningxia at the Indonesian ambassador's residence in Beijing, on May 18, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Indonesia in China

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in China hosted a soft launch of a sequel film Assalamualaikum Beijing 2: Lost in Ningxia at the Indonesian ambassador's residence in Beijing on May 18. The event aimed to strengthen Indonesia's cultural diplomacy through the transnational medium of film.

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun addressed more than 150 delegates, noting that movies have extraordinary power to build trust, convey values, and strengthen people-to-people relations.

In addition to delegates from the Chinese media and film sectors, the crew of the movie also participated in the event: actress Yasmin Napper,  director Guntur Soeharjanto and young musician Hanin Dhiya. 

"Human relations are the lifeblood of people-to-people relations. When stories on screen touch people's hearts, geographical boundaries and cultural differences disappear. Movies like this serve as a bridge that not only connects our countries, but also our peoples," the ambassador said. 

The event also functioned as a strategic discussion forum on the potential for film cooperation between Indonesia and China. In a dialogue with industry insiders moderated by the ambassador, participants discussed how the film industry has significant economic and social impact, including doubling as a tool for diplomacy, cultural promotion, and tourism booster.

The ambassador noted the importance of the cross-border cooperation model. The film was shot in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Indonesia as a strategy to reach audiences in both countries and encourage the exchange of cultural values. With a combined population of nearly 1.7 billion, Indonesia and China have huge film market potential. Cross-border co-production can be a strategic means to promote Indonesia's popular tourist destinations, creative products, and friendly images while building emotional connections, he said. 

The discussion also explored technical cooperation opportunities in the areas of film training, film distribution, and the possibility of using Indonesia as a location for future Chinese film shoots.

The movie Assalamualaikum Beijing 2: Lost in Ningxia tells the story of a young Indonesian television journalist, Aisha, who discovers the new meanings of love, identity, and spirituality while traveling in Ningxia. The film will be officially released in Indonesia on June 19.