REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING — The media has an important role in strengthening Indonesia-China relations. Editor-in-Chief of Republika Elba Damhuri said the relationship between the two countries is now growing closer and becoming the main engine of world economic growth amid the current situation of global uncertainty.

“Here the media plays an important role, not only as a bridge but also as a game changer in supporting the new power of China's Indonesian political economy,” Elba said from Beijing, China, Monday (1/9/2024).

The Editor-in-Chief of Republika along with a delegation of other editors-in-chief from Indonesia attended the China-Indonesia Forum organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Beijing. Elba was one of the key speakers at the Forum, which was attended by the media and the public.

Currently, according to Elba, Indonesia-China relations are improving, increasing, and mutually sustaining the economic growth of the two countries.

Relations in other areas are growing closer, including in the fields of education, culture, socio-religious, technology, digital transformation, to media cooperation.

The media needs to strengthen and build China-Indonesia mutual understanding. “There is a term in the Indonesian proverb 'Don't know then this increasingly good relationship should be sustained by an objective exchange of information and avoiding any misinformation, '” Elba said.

Elba said Indonesians in general still do not know China deeply. The people of Indonesia have not received much information about the culture, society, traditions, values, and the way of life of the Chinese people.

The Indonesian public does not know much about how harmonious the religious life in China is including how Muslims in China enjoy their lives so much, given the freedom to choose their way of life.

“The information about China and some Middle Eastern countries, including Indonesia, appears unbalanced, unfair, and seems strongly ill-framed. China's political and geopolitical information is more negative than certain media outlets,” Elba said.

In this context, Elba explained the media has a very important role in shaping public perception of Indonesia-China relations. By presenting accurate, objective, and responsible information, the media can contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

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