The provincial government of East Java (Indonesia) and representatives from the People’s Republic of China reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in key areas of trade and human resource development during a meeting in Surabaya. The discussion took place between Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Chinese Consul General Ye Su at the Chinese Consulate General’s residence. Main topics included expanding educational opportunities through scholarships for students, vocational training programs for vocational high school (SMK) teachers, collaboration in the manufacturing sector, and exploring potential exports — particularly edible bird’s nests — to the Chinese market.
Governor Khofifah highlighted East Java’s efforts in building a solid educational ecosystem, including the management of boarding schools designed to produce future leaders with global competitiveness. The cooperation aims to align secondary and higher education more closely with industry needs and prepare students for international opportunities, including scholarships and capacity-building programs. On the trade front, East Java’s strong manufacturing base — contributing significantly above the national average to the province’s economy — was noted as a strategic asset for deeper engagement with China, with optimism about increased exports if international standards and cooperation mechanisms are met. China’s representatives expressed appreciation for the province’s preparedness in education and industry and indicated openness to broader collaboration across these sectors.
