On the evening of February 17, the Indonesia-China Technology and Cultural Exchange Conference, jointly organized by GEM and UNU Yogyakarta, was grandly inaugurated. The event was attended by distinguished Indonesian politicians, entrepreneurs, and scholars, including H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of the Indonesian National Economic Council; H.E. Prof. Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture; and Dr. Kyai Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Indonesia. Ms. Liu Jingyu, Chairman of CALB, Professor Xu Kaihua, Chairman of GEM, and Ms. Wang Min, Joint Actual Controller and Director of GEM attended the exchange conference.Chinese media representatives from Xinhua Jakarta Bureau and People’s Daily ASEAN Bureau, as well as leading Chinese enterprises operating overseas, including Huawei Indonesia, SANY Indonesia, and CCECC Indonesia, also attend the conference.

H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan delivered a special address, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Xu Kaihua and Board Director Wang Min for their investments and contributions in Indonesia. He highlighted that both China and Indonesia are major global players, with a combined population of 1.7 billion. The two nations have long cooperated in infrastructure and trade, and under the impetus of Prof. Xu Kaihua, significant progress has also been made in educational collaboration. Looking ahead, he hopes to strengthen “people-centered” cooperation and promote high-quality vocational training, joint research, scholarships, and university partnerships to enhance the international competitiveness of talents from both nations.

H.E. Luhut recalled that since his first meeting with Prof. Xu Kaihua seven years ago, Indonesia-China bilateral relations have advanced significantly. The joint master's program between the Indonesian government, GEM, and Central South University has successfully trained 135 metallurgy students across four batches. Furthermore, Prof. Xu Kaihua spearheaded the establishment of the world’s first Nickel Resource Museum in the IMIP Industrial Park on Sulawesi Island, pioneering hydrometallurgical research and building a high-tech industrial park with nickel resources to produce new energy raw materials and materials, achieving globally recognized success.

On August 28, 2024, H.E. Luhut witnessed the inauguration of the GEM-ITB-CSU Indonesia-China Joint Research Laboratory on New Energy Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, the largest joint metallurgical laboratory outside China. He also expressed appreciation for Prof. Xu Kaihua’s commitment to implementing a technology and cultural cooperation agreement with UNU Yogyakarta on January 22, 2025, reflecting the dedication of Chinese entrepreneurs. H.E. Luhut emphasized that Indonesia seeks to foster long-term and genuine bilateral relations with Chinese partners, affirming that Chinese entrepreneurs sincerely support Indonesia’s development.

▲ Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of the Indonesian National Economic Council, delivered a special speech

H.E. Prof. Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, welcomed Prof. Xu Kaihua, Chairwoman Liu Jingyu of CALB, and all distinguished guests. He expressed his honor in witnessing nearly a decade of historic growth in Indonesia-China relations and hopes for further collaboration in higher education.

▲ Professor Pratikno, Minister of Human Development and Cultural Affairs of Indonesia, delivered a speech

Dr. Kyai Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Indonesia, stated that UNU Yogyakarta is dedicated to being a religious university within the higher education system. The cooperation agreement signed with GEM on January 22, 2025, marks a significant step forward in the university’s technological research endeavors. He extended his gratitude to Prof. Xu Kaihua, the university board, and Minister Pratikno for their unwavering support in realizing President Prabowo’s vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045.

▲ Dr. Kyai Yahya Cholil Staquf, National Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (Indonesia's Islamic Scholars Association), delivered a speech

Chairwoman Liu Jingyu of CALB remarked that after two days of on-site research, she recognized Indonesia’s immense potential in the new energy sector and deeply appreciated the enthusiasm of Indonesian partners. She affirmed CALB’s commitment to “transcending business, benefiting humanity, achieving mutual success, and realizing greatness,” aiming to contribute to Indonesia’s new energy industry and promote Indonesia-China technological and cultural integration.

▲ Ms. Liu Jingyu, Chairwoman of CALB (China Aviation Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd.), delivered a speech

In his address, Chairman Xu Kaihua warmly welcomed all guests, expressing his gratitude in Indonesian: Selamat malam! (Good evening!). He extended his special appreciation to H.E. Luhut and the Indonesian government for their continued support of GEM, praising H.E. Luhut as a true hero of Indonesia. He noted that 2024 is a year of prosperity and good fortune—the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The spirit of Bandung, symbolizing unity, friendship, and cooperation, continues to inspire technological and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Over the past five years, GEM has successfully developed a high-tech nickel refining industry in Indonesia, producing 150,000 tons of nickel metal in MHP form, 50,000 tons of precursor materials, and 30,000 tons of cathode materials—realizing the vision of “processing laterite nickel ore into battery materials.” Furthermore, GEM has cultivated 183 engineering master’s and doctoral students and established a world-class Indonesia-China Bandung Joint Scientific Laboratory. This innovative investment model—integrating industry, technology, and culture—demonstrates a more meaningful approach than mere capital investment in achieving Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045.

On January 22, GEM and UNU Yogyakarta signed a MoU to advance higher education cooperation. Through this collaboration, GEM will help UNU Yogyakarta develop cutting-edge research facilities, establish scholarships, provide hands-on training, and create employment opportunities. This initiative aims to elevate UNU Yogyakarta’s metallurgy program to a world-class standard. Given the profound influence of the Islamic community in Indonesia, GEM is committed to leveraging this partnership to cultivate talents, advance scientific development, and foster deep-rooted friendship.

Prof. Xu Kaihua also expressed his admiration for Chairwoman Liu Jingyu of CALB, a visionary female entrepreneur dedicated to Indonesia-China cooperation. He encouraged all attendees to support her ambitious endeavors in Indonesia. Quoting President Xi Jinping, Prof. Xu affirmed that the “wheel of China-Indonesia friendship will always forge ahead.” He reiterated his commitment to elevating Indonesia-China technological and cultural cooperation to new heights, supporting the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, nurturing talent for the Islamic community, and developing a world-class nickel resource and downstream zero-carbon green industrial park in collaboration with PTVI.

▲ Professor Xu Kaihua, Chairman of GEM Group, addressed the audience with an opening speech

This Indonesia-China Technology and Cultural Exchange Conference represents GEM’s proactive response to President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. It serves as a meaningful step in strengthening people-to-people connectivity and advancing the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.