Bali, June 1, 2025 — The Widyatula Building of the Bali Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar Bali) witnessed a historic moment with the inauguration of the China Center, attended by a high-level delegation from Jiangxi Province, China, as well as representatives from the central and regional governments of Indonesia. This event was part of the “Friendly Cooperation and Exchange” program, which brought together key figures from both nations in the spirit of cross-sector collaboration—spanning education, culture, and tourism. The establishment of the China Center marks a collaboration between Bali Tourism Polytechnic and Jiangxi Science and Technology University.
The event was attended by Ms. Lu Xiaoqing, Minister of Propaganda of Jiangxi Province; Mr. Zhang Zhisheng, Consul General of China in Denpasar; and a representative from the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Deputy for Human Resources and Institutions, Ir. Martini Mohamad Paham, MBA, represented by the Assistant Deputy for Strategic Management, Dr. I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani, A.Par, M.Par. Also present were Indonesian Senator Abraham Liyanto and academics from various institutions, including El Bajo Commodus Polytechnic and the University of Nusa Cendana. The delegation from Jiangxi, led by Lu Xiaoqing, expressed a strong commitment to strengthening people-to-people relations between Indonesia and China through vocational education and tourism training.
“Today’s meeting is not merely a continuation of an established friendship, but the beginning of a stronger partnership,” said Lu. She highlighted several initiatives, such as the Tiangong Vocational Education Alliance, which involves over 20 educational institutions in China and has formed active partnerships with Poltekpar Bali and Udayana University. She further noted that the Jiangxi Provincial Government supports the establishment of a vocational education-based Confucius Institute as a strategic platform for Mandarin language learning and job training in Indonesia.
In his address, the Director of Poltekpar Bali, Dr. Drs. Ida Bagus Putu Puja, M.Kes., expressed his pride in the trust bestowed upon his institution by the Chinese partners. “The establishment of the China Center marks an important milestone in expanding the scope of international cooperation, particularly in the fields of vocational education, tourism training, and the development of globally competitive human resources,” Puja stated. He added that the China Center will serve as a hub for learning the Chinese language, culture, and cuisine, as well as a collaborative space for students from both countries to exchange ideas and innovations.
“We believe that the collaboration between Bali Tourism Polytechnic and Jiangxi Science and Technology University will foster a positive and mutually beneficial synergy—through student and faculty exchanges, joint training programs, collaborative research, and intercultural promotion,” he added in front of the attending delegates.
The event, which began in the morning, was vibrant and festive, starting with a welcome by the Jegeg Bagus team, a performance of the traditional ‘Sekar Jagat Dance’ by the BiTP Dance Student Association, and the screening of the promotional video Jiangxi Unique Scenery. Following the national anthems of both countries, the ceremony continued with the signing of seven strategic cooperation agreements. These included the establishment of the China Center, the International Tourism Vocational Training Center, and the launch of the Chinese Cuisine Practical Training Base, in collaboration with Teluk Merah Restaurant and several partner universities from both China and Indonesia.
After the official session, guests were invited to visit the I Gede Ardika Postgraduate Building, where the China Center is located, followed by a luncheon prepared through a joint effort between chefs from Jiangxi and culinary arts lecturers from Poltekpar Bali.
Looking ahead, this collaboration is projected to not only enhance the capacity of educational institutions but also serve as a catalyst for regional economic development through culture-based tourism. Assistant Deputy Dr. I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani emphasized the importance of this initiative in strengthening soft diplomacy and Indonesia’s human resource competitiveness. “We hope that the China Center will become a center of excellence that brings together two great cultures, producing tourism graduates who are not only professional but also collaborative and multicultural,” she stated.
The event concluded with a group photo session and a joint statement from both parties reaffirming the continuity of the cooperation programs for years to come. Poltekpar Bali reiterated its commitment to pioneering international collaboration based on vocational education in Indonesia. With this, Bali is poised to be recognized not only as a world-class tourist destination but also as a premier hub for educational diplomacy in Asia.
