On the afternoon of November 21, 2023, the 62nd session of the Youth Academic Workshop on International Studies of Fudan University (YAWIS Fudan) convened in conference room at the Center for Japanese Studies. The focal point of this session was "Belt and Road Projects in Indonesia: Development and Challenges."
Dr. Arie Kusuma Paksi, an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations of the Faculty of Social and Political Studies at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, served as the keynote speaker. Professor Qi Huaigao, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Studies（IIS Fudan）, moderated the session. Dr. Xue Song, Associate Professor at the Center for China’s Relations with Neighboring Countries (CCRNC Fudan), contributed commentary. This event drew participation from over 10 faculty and students from Fudan University, Shanghai International Studies University, and various other academic institutions.
Dr. Arie elaborated on the infrastructure development plans of the Jokowi government and its alignment with the "Belt and Road" initiative. Using projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail as a case study, he approached the analysis from the perspective of Indonesia's central-local relations, aiming to elucidate the challenges faced by the implementation of the "Belt and Road" projects in Indonesia. Furthermore, he provided constructive policy recommendations from various angles.
During the commentary session, Dr. Xue Song supplemented the discussion with updates on China-Indonesia "Belt and Road" cooperation and offered suggestions on research design. In the discussion segment, Dr. Veronika S. Saraswati from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta, provided insightful comments.
Dr. Arie is the Indonesian short-term visiting scholar at Institute of International Studies of Fudan University. The duration of Dr. Arie at the IIS Fudan is from October to November 2023, and the host professors are Professor Qi Huaigao and Associate Professor Xue Song. Throughout his visit, his research primarily focused on exploring the impact of the "Belt and Road" initiative on Indonesia, with the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail serving as a significant case study. In an interview with "Phoenix Weekly" in October 2023，he expressed, "This project (Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail) not only enhances connectivity but also significantly reduces travel time for Indonesians, promoting economic and social integration. Additionally, Indonesia leverages this partnership to import advanced technology from China, contributing to Indonesia’s technological advancement."
