charter flight brings indonesians to hangzhou digital trade expo-体育网

the indonesian delegation poses for a group photo after arriving in hangzhou. [photo/wechat account: gh_0253b54bdc42]

gj8852, the first charter flight from jakarta for the 4th global digital trade expo — in hangzhou, capital of east china's zhejiang province — landed at the city's airport on sept 24, carrying nearly 100 indonesian business delegates.

the service — jointly launched by hangzhou expo group and hangzhou airport-based chinese airline loong air — marked the arrival of buyers with procurement lists worth over 5 billion yuan ($701.73 million).

the flight also signaled the countdown to the expo, to be held in hangzhou from sept 25 to 29. indonesia, this year's country of honor and southeast asia's largest economy, will play a major role at the event with a national pavilion and a large delegation of professional buyers.

the initiative follows years of collaboration. the hangzhou expo group, together with clarion events — the world's biggest privately-owned event and exhibition organizer — has built indonesia's largest digital tech fair, the digital transformation indonesia conference & expo.

this "go global and bring in" strategy is said to not only help chinese firms expand overseas, but also injects more international opportunities into hangzhou's own expos.

alwis rustam, executive director of the association of indonesian municipalities and a frequent visitor to hangzhou, said he looked forwards to meeting new friends at this year's expo, while noting the city's rapid changes.

the event comes as china and indonesia mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025. bilateral trade reached nearly $150 billion in 2024, up 8.5 percent year-on-year, with china remaining indonesia's biggest trading partner for 12 consecutive years.

digital economy cooperation has become a highlight of the partnership. chinese companies are actively supporting indonesia's e-commerce, fintech and ai development, helping to accelerate its digital transformation.

the value of indonesia's digital economy is projected to reach $210–$360 billion by 2030, offering vast opportunities where china's mature technologies — from mobile payments to the industrial internet — are key enablers.

"china's digital solutions are cost-effective and highly adaptable to indonesia's needs," said ricky suryo, one of the delegates who toured chinese firms earlier this year. "i believe this trip will be equally fruitful," he added.

visitors gather at chinese tech giant huawei's stand at the digital transformation indonesia conference & expo, indonesia's premier digital tech fair. [photo/wechat account: gh_0253b54bdc42]