PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Regional Secretary of West Java Province Herman Suryatman received an honorary visit from the Governor of Sichuan Province, China, Shi Xiaolin at Gedung Sate, Bandung City, Thursday (24/4/2025).

Herman hopes that this meeting can further strengthen the ties between the two regional governments in the Sister Province bond.

"Moreover, the link between West Java and Sichuan has been going on for quite a long time since 2015," said Herman.

"Hopefully, with this meeting between Sichuan and West Java as Sister Provinces, it can be more optimal, especially having a real impact on improving the welfare of the people in both Sichuan and West Java," he said.

On this occasion, Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman also said that West Java is a potential area starting from the side of natural resources, human resources, industry, manufacturing, food, including socio-culture.

Some sectors that can be considered for cooperation include education, where Herman would welcome scholarship programs or _edu fairs_ that create space for students, college students, and teachers to develop their potential.

"In the education sector, we are very interested because China is one of the countries with extraordinary educational progress, including in terms of research," said Herman.

"So that we can keep up with the pace of development of Western countries with technology that is no less sophisticated," he said.

"The key we see is the education sector, that's why we are interested in expanding cooperation in the education sector," added Herman.

Another area of cooperation that will be promoted with Sichuan Province is in the field of logistics and connectivity or transportation.

"Currently we have the Whoosh fast train line, in the future we will also encourage the reactivation of railway lines in several cities and districts so that they can be interconnected by train mode," he said.

*Direct flight*

Herman also said that West Java has the West Java International Airport (BIJB) in Kertajati, Majalengka Regency.

He hopes that direct flight routes to and from Sichuan can be opened.

In addition, regarding investment, in 2024, West Java will still be the highest nationally, with a total investment of IDR 251.14 trillion.

The investment realization consisted of foreign investment (PMA) of IDR 149.5 trillion and domestic investment (PMDN) of IDR 101.54 trillion.

One of the investment trends that is starting to grow, said Herman, is the electric-based automotive industry.

One of the Chinese companies that has invested in the Subang area is the electric vehicle manufacturer BYD.

"We hope that cooperation with Sichuan Province can be improved. Regarding the investment industry, we have several potential areas," said Herman.

"We have carried out deregulation and debureaucratization so that licensing services in West Java will be faster, simpler, easier and safer," he said.

*Culture and tourism*

Not only that, other sectors that can be encouraged are increasing cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism.

"West Java Province has extraordinary cultural wealth and tourism destinations, one of the best in Indonesia, just like Sichuan which also has extraordinary cultural and tourism potential," he said.

So, one of the collaborations is by encouraging tourist visits from Sichuan to West Java or vice versa, especially since West Java has BIJB Kertajati.

"So we hope that the relationship between the West Java Provincial Government and Sichuan Province is not only a diplomatic relationship that is only under the auspices of Sister Province, but also a strong spiritual relationship so that we are sure it will provide positive benefits for both parties," said Herman.

The Chairman of the West Java DPRD, Buky Wibawa, also said that the meeting between the West Java Provincial Government and Sichuan Province today was not just a symbolic relationship, but a strong foundation to encourage cooperation between the two parties in various fields.

Sichuan Province Governor Shi Xiaolin said that his party is ready to make the areas of cooperation with the West Java Provincial Government a success.

"Such as transportation, education, industry, manufacturing, tourism and others, we can encourage the success of the agreed points of cooperation," he concluded.