On May 23, 2026, the China-Indonesia Academia-Industry Collaboration Forum was held at the Xuhui Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Hosted by the Southeast Asia Center of Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF), the event brought together representatives from the Indonesian Consulate General in Shanghai, the SJTU International Affairs Division, leading enterprises, and students from universities across China and Indonesia for academic dialogue, industry sharing, cultural exchange, and campus engagement.

Distinguished guests included Berlianto Situngkir, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Shanghai; Dila, Consul for Information and Sociocultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Indonesia in Shanghai; Wang Qian, Deputy Director of International Affairs Division at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Professor Hong Yan, Deputy Dean and Chair Professor of Finance at SAIF; and Professor Jie Hu, Professor of Practice at SAIF and Executive Director of the SAIF Southeast Asia Center. Representatives from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Rongding Building Materials Indonesia, Guotai Haitong Securities, Xiaomi, Bank of China Jakarta Branch, and YES New Energy also attended the event.

Promoting International Collaboration and Talent Development

In her opening remarks, Wang Qian welcomed the guests on behalf of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and highlighted the role of the SAIF Southeast Asia Center in advancing educational exchange, industry connectivity, and joint talent development between China and Indonesia. She noted that as economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries continue to deepen, demand for internationally minded, interdisciplinary talent is growing. SJTU, she said, will further strengthen cooperation with universities and partners across Southeast Asia to cultivate professionals who can contribute to regional development.

Consul General Berlianto Situngkir thanked SAIF for creating a meaningful platform for dialogue and exchange. He observed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia has continued to grow, with Shanghai playing a central role as Indonesia’s key gateway to eastern China. He encouraged Indonesian students in Shanghai to broaden their perspectives, and urged them to take a closer look at the opportunities available in the Indonesian market as well.

Professor Hong Yan welcomed the participants on behalf of SAIF, thanking all parties for their support and underscoring SAIF’s long-standing commitment to internationalization, high-level financial talent development, and global academic exchange. Since its establishment in 2023, the SAIF Southeast Asia Center has become an important platform for the School’s engagement with Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region. He expressed the hope that the forum would further promote university-enterprise collaboration, cross-cultural understanding, and shared growth.

Exploring China-Indonesia Cooperation and Industry Opportunities

In his keynote address, Professor Jie Hu traced the historical arc of China-Indonesia relations, from early friendship and periods of tension to the pragmatic and deepening cooperation of today. He examined key historical milestones and their bearing on bilateral trade, infrastructure investment, and people-to-people exchanges, and encouraged young people from both countries to better understand the historical and policy context shaping bilateral cooperation, and to seek out future opportunities in education, business, and industry.

During the corporate sharing session, Long Jie, Executive Vice President of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and Executive Secretary-General of Zhisland Indonesia, discussed trends and market opportunities for Chinese hospitality and chain businesses entering Indonesia. He highlighted cultural sensitivity, regulatory compliance, and localization as key success factors for Chinese brands going global.

Andy He, General Manager of Rongding Building Materials Indonesia, shared the company’s internationalization journey—from a Fujian-based building materials brand to a multinational enterprise operating across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia. He drew on the company’s experience in cross-border operations, manufacturing, engineering services, and global supply chain development.

Representatives from Guotai Haitong Securities, Xiaomi International Business Department, Bank of China Jakarta Branch, and YES New Energy also shared insights on industry trends, international business operations, and talent requirements.

Following the sharing sessions, members of the SJTU Dance Team performed “Daughters of the Dai People, Rain of the Dai Homeland”, a piece celebrating the charm of Chinese ethnic culture. The event then moved into a networking session and campus tour, during which students and corporate representatives engaged in substantive discussions on career development, market opportunities, and cross-cultural exchange.

The forum drew on the Yangtze River Delta’s strengths as a hub for Southeast Asian talent, fostering connections among universities, enterprises, and young professionals. Through academic exchange, talent development, and industry collaboration, it further advanced SAIF’s engagement with Southeast Asia and contributed to deeper China-Indonesia cooperation in education, business, and people-to-people exchange.