“Initially, it would be built in Singapore or Malaysia. But I requested that the center be built in Bali,” Indonesian Ambassador to China Soegeng Rahardjo said as quoted by Antara in Beijing on Friday.

The ambassador said he insisted that the institution be built in Bali because it was in line with the spirit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who conveyed the “One Road” concept in his speech in front of House of Representatives members in Senayan, Central Jakarta, in 2013. Xi conveyed his idea of the One Belt partnership in Astana, Kazakhstan, in the same year, he added.

“ASEAN and China have agreed to our suggestion. It is hoped the institution is established in Bali this year,” said Soegeng.  

He said there were advantages to building the ASEAN-China Innovation Center in Bali.

“Analysts or experts from  Harvard University invited to take part in a program, for instance, are more likely to come because it is in Bali,” said Soegeng.

Soegeng said the One Belt, One Road partnership was a connectivity concept in the region; hence, there should be an innovation institution that could help realize it.

As one of largest countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is a country China has deemed important to partner with to build infrastructure through the One Belt, One Road concept. (rdi/ebf)

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