Jakarta, (February 10, 2026) – Southeast Asia has experienced steady growth in economic activities, investment opportunities, and talent exchange. Indonesia, in particular, has shown determination, resilience and a commitment to attract quality investment and businesses. To help international audiences better understand the dynamics between China and Indonesia, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) has entered into a strategic partnership with KADIN Indonesia and hosted the China Conference: Southeast Asia in Jakarta, which convened 500 participants from Indonesia and across the region.
As China and Indonesia deepen strategic cooperation, the conference provides a platform to shape policy dialogue, strengthen business ties and advance innovation across ASEAN and beyond. Keynote speaker The Hon CY Leung, GBM, GBS, JP, KCM, Former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stated, “China firmly opposes unilateralism and protectionism and restlessly defends the multilateral training system. The Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, has pointed a way forward to a world amidst challenges to the global order. The initiative has won the support of over 150 countries and international organisations.”
HE Dr (HC) Ir H. Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, described Hong Kong as a key economic partner for Indonesia, saying at the keynote session that Hong Kong has a special economic partnership with Indonesia and a bilateral trade around US$6.5 billion, and the last few years has invested US$10 billion in Indonesia. Hong Kong and ASEAN free trade that is implemented in 2020 has opened up the economic and business relationship between Indonesia and Hong Kong.
Against a global backdrop shaped by geopolitical shifts and rapid technological advancement and its disruptions, Tammy Tam, Publisher of the South China Morning Post, added, “Reliable networks and expert wisdom have become essential to success. Powered by digital innovation and editorial excellence, the South China Morning Post tells the story of China and Southeast Asia, with the depth and independence that enable our readers not just to observe trends, but to turn understanding into tangible actions.”
Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Chairman of KADIN Indonesia, emphasised the conference’s relevance for business and investment cooperation. “Our sincere appreciation to the China Conference: Southeast Asia and to the South China Morning Post, for creating a space where policymakers, business leaders and innovators can engage in honest and constructive dialogue on the future of our region. I believe China, Indonesia and the greater Southeast Asia can become the most important engines and factories of global growth in the coming decades. We can be the engine of growth by driving demand, innovation, and new business models across a market of more than two billion people.”
Pandu Sjahrir, Chief Investment Officer, Danantara Indonesia, added, “Danantara Indonesia is a human capital bank. Our job is to attract the best global talent to Indonesia to push this organization forward. We are learning from markets like Hong Kong in attracting capital, while strengthening transparency, the rule of law, and communicating Indonesia’s story better to the world. As a sovereign fund, we are very clear on our north star: Danantara must be run for profit. We cannot have politicians in the company, it has to be fully professional. We also apply the business judgment rule, so decisions are made based on sound commercial considerations, without fear of criminalisation. This is critical for building trust and positioning Indonesia as a credible destination for long-term global investment.”
The conference also features HE Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Climate and Energy; Ambassador Wang Qing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN; Zhou Kan, Chargé d’affaires ad interim, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Indonesia; and The Hon Dr Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, Deputy Secretary for Justice, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, alongside leaders from multinational corporations, financial institutions and technology companies such as Alibaba Cloud, HSBC, Huawei, Ant International, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Fosun Health, FWD Group and OCBC.
Read more on SCMP: https://www.scmp.com/topics/china-conference-sea
China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 is supported by:
- Diamond sponsor: Alibaba Cloud
- Platinum sponsors: HSBC, Huawei
- Gold sponsors: Ant International, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Fosun Health, FWD Group, OCBC
- Globalisation Partners: Financial Services Development Council, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Jakarta)
- Exhibitor: InvestHK
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About the South China Morning Post (SCMP)
The South China Morning Post is a leading global news organisation that has reported on China and Asia for over 120 years. Founded in 1903, the SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing staff of correspondents in Asia and across the globe. The SCMP has received hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence from prestigious organisations such as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. The SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong, including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.
