House Vice Speaker Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar exchanges souvenirs with Chinese Ambassador Lu Kang after a courtesy call held at the Parliamentary Building. Photo: Oji/nvl

The longstanding and productive ties between Indonesia and China will be further improved, among others, by resuming the scholarship program as the COVID-19 Pandemic abates. House Vice Speaker for People’s Welfare, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, made the statement in a courtesy call with Chinese Ambassador Mr. Lu Kang, who had just completed his first 100 days on the job, on Monday (6/6/2022) at Nusantara III Building, House complex, Jakarta.

“Today, Mr. Lu Kang, who has just been Chinese Ambassador for three months, came to meet me to follow up the ongoing partnerships, either between the two parliaments or among political parties of the two countries,” Iskandar told Parlementaria after the meeting.

They also talked about the longstanding scholarship cooperation sponsored by Indonesia and China. “Scholarship for bachelor’s degree will be increased for Indonesians who want to go to universities in China to study a specific branch of science or even all branches of science,” he said.

The scholarships also offer an opportunity for Indonesian students to study political management in China. “We are very open to support the Chinese Ambassador to further promote the cooperation and provide programs, such as student exchange and politician exchange allowing them to learn from each other, either in Indonesia or in China,” said the National Awakening Party (PKB) politician.

In the meeting, Lu Kang also extended an invitation to Iskandar to attend the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. “He also invites me to attend the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, to see in person the Congress and its related events,” said the legislator from East Java III constituency. (gal/sf-mut)