Food fosters China-Indonesia cultural exchange, ambassador says

The Indonesian Gourmet Festival opened in Beijing on June 3, offering visitors a taste of Indonesia's rich culinary heritage while highlighting the cultural and growing economic ties between Indonesia and China.

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun (L) and his wife sing the Chinese song "Molihua," ("Jasmine"), at the Indonesian Gourmet Festival, June 3, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the Indonesian Embassy to China]

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said food has long served as a bridge connecting the two civilizations.

"The story of Indonesia-China relations began centuries ago, when ships crossed the seas carrying silk, ceramics and spices," Oratmangun said. He noted that these spices, among the world's most valuable commodities of the time, helped shape cuisines far beyond the regions where they were originally grown.

The ambassador said food was among the earliest links between the peoples of the two countries and continues to play an important role in fostering mutual understanding.

"Some of the most meaningful conversations do not take place in meeting rooms. They take place around a dining table," he said. "A shared meal has a unique way of bringing people together. It creates familiarity, encourages openness and builds trust."

According to Oratmangun, cuisine offers valuable insights into a society's history, environment and values. "A dish tells us where people live, what they cultivate, how they adapt to their environment, and what they value," he said.

He also emphasized that cultures develop through interaction rather than in isolation.

"Food also reminds us that cultures do not develop in isolation," Oratmangun said. "Many foods familiar to Indonesians today — Bakpao, Cakwe, Capcay and many others — reflect centuries of interaction between Indonesian and Chinese communities. They remind us that people-to-people exchanges between our two civilizations long predate modern diplomacy."

The ambassador noted that people-to-people exchanges remain a key pillar of bilateral relations alongside expanding economic cooperation, with trade and investment connecting the two economies.

Since 2015, bilateral trade has nearly tripled, reaching $167 billion (approximately 1.13 trillion yuan) last year, according to Oratmangun. Chinese investment in Indonesia has increased more than twelvefold over the same period, reaching $7.5 billion in 2025.

"These are impressive numbers," he said.

Tourism exchanges have also continued to grow. More than 1 million Chinese tourists visited Indonesia last year, Oratmangun said, while an increasing number of Indonesian travelers are visiting Chinese cities, including Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen.

He said Indonesian tourists are drawn to China's rich history, diverse culture and modern urban development, and many have developed a fondness for Chinese cuisine during their visits.

Commenting on the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, to be held in Shenzhen later this year, Oratmangun said China and Indonesia share common priorities in addressing global challenges.

"In today's uncertain global environment, APEC's role as a platform for practical cooperation is becoming increasingly important," he said. "The priorities highlighted by China, particularly digital transformation and supply chain resilience, are also very much aligned with Indonesia's own development agenda."

He added that there is significant potential for the two countries to deepen cooperation in emerging industries, specifically in areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, green development and cross-border digital trade.