Brunei has achieved 5G connectivity, e-payment system, and digital identity, says minister
These advancements ensured that Brunei stayed at the forefront of new technologies, continued to attract quality investments and provided benefits to businesses, Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, minister at the Prime Minister's Office and second minister of Finance and Economy, said at the Brunei Business Conference 2025.
He said that over the years, Brunei has undertaken significant steps to streamline its policies and regulations, creating a more investor-friendly environment. - Xinhua
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The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Indonesia's first high-speed railway is now transforming inbound travel and driving economic growth
JAKARTA (Xinhua): Since the launch of commercial operations in October 2023, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, locally known as Whoosh, has ushered in a new era of modern transportation for Indonesia. As South-East Asia's first high-speed rail system, Whoosh connects Jakarta, Indonesia's largest city, with Bandung in West Java, drastically reducing travel time from over three hours to just 46 minutes. This leap in mobility has delivered more than just faster commutes. It has redefined the travel experience for millions of Indonesians and brought new momentum to economic activity along the railway corridor. ECONOMIC BENEFITS According to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), the Indonesian-Chinese railway joint venture has safely carried over 10.6 million passengers on 31,614 trips as of July 25, covering more than 4.9 million kilometers since its commercial operations began. With up to 62 daily train services and a peak daily ridership of 26,800, public enthusiasm continues to rise. For Sophia, a 37-year-old mother of two who commutes between Jakarta and Bandung every weekend, the benefits are deeply personal. "Whoosh has become a proper mode of transportation. Time is valuable; we shouldn't have to spend so much of it on the road," she said. Beyond convenience, Whoosh has also triggered notable economic benefits. Business owners like 45-year-old Akhyar, who runs a cake shop near Bandung's train station, have witnessed a sharp rise in customers, many of whom are tourists brought in by the high-speed service. Similarly, the Indonesian Travel Agent Association reported growing demand for group tours using Whoosh, especially among students and corporate travelers. "It helps promote Jakarta as a tourist destination, especially for ASEAN visitors," said the association's Chairwoman, Pauline Suharno, using the acronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "Among ASEAN countries, only Indonesia has a high-speed train." According to Segara Research Institute Executive Director Piter Abdullah, Whoosh is not only a game changer for mobility, but a catalyst for new economic activity. "Mobility is a driver of the economy. The growing number of passengers shows that people are increasingly recognizing the value of time efficiency and travel comfort. High-speed rail can trigger the emergence of new economic centers," he said. This project represents a crucial first step in developing rail-based transportation across Java Island, unlocking new zones of productivity and investment, he added. ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY The areas surrounding Whoosh's stations, such as Tegalluar, Padalarang, and Karawang, are already seeing the rise of new residential communities, commercial centers, and upgraded infrastructure. Halim Station, near Jakarta's international airport, is evolving into a critical intermodal hub, supporting seamless air-rail connectivity. "Whoosh has significantly enhanced regional connectivity and land value," said KCIC's Corporate Communications Manager Emir Monti. "It's also generated thousands of jobs and supported the growth of a full high-speed rail industry chain in Indonesia." Emir believed that Whoosh is not just a transport upgrade, but a strategic leap in Indonesia's development. "We didn't expect such a high level of enthusiasm at the beginning. But Whoosh has truly improved connectivity between Jakarta and Bandung and brought real convenience to the public," he said. He also emphasized the project's role as a model for international collaboration and local capacity building. "This isn't just about importing equipment; it's about building an integrated system. Through our joint venture with Chinese partners, we've transferred technology, trained local talent, and developed Indonesian professionals in operations, maintenance, and management," he said. Today, all train drivers and mechanics are Indonesians, a testament to the project's commitment to localization and sustainability. "From technology to management, our local teams are growing through hands-on experience," said Emir. "Whoosh didn't just bring infrastructure. It built a foundation for future Indonesian expertise." GROWING EXPECTATION According to Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, president director of KCIC, Whoosh is the first full-scale application of Chinese high-speed rail technology abroad, making Indonesia the first country outside China to operate trains at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. "Chinese high-speed rail technology is truly advanced. They're already developing trains that can reach 450 kilometers per hour. So I think it's natural that China is the technological benchmark for Indonesia's high-speed rail development," he said. He also noted that Indonesia's success with Whoosh has drawn attention from other Southeast Asian nations eager to replicate its achievement. "Indonesia is now seen as a model for high-speed rail development in ASEAN," he said. As demand continues to climb and public satisfaction remains high, expectations are rising. German expatriate Ali Kurtze, a long-time Jakarta resident and self-proclaimed loyal Whoosh rider, expressed hope for further expansion. "Fast, punctual, comfortable, I love this route. I hope the high-speed rail will one day extend to Surabaya or even Sumatra," said Kurtze. "That would completely transform Indonesia's transportation landscape." -- Xinhua
The Star
8 hours ago
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Could China's Tibet mega dam help boost its sway with South Asian neighbours?
China's latest mega dam on the Tibetan Plateau could help draw neighbouring countries closer into its economic orbit by supplying electricity and boosting growth, analysts have argued. According to some estimates, the dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo will be the world's biggest, producing up to 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam. State news agency Xinhua said over the weekend that its output would 'primarily deliver electricity for external consumption' but would also meet local demand in Tibet. But the project has drawn concerns about the impact on water supply and ecological risks downstream in India and Bangladesh, where the river is known as the Brahmaputra, although Beijing has said it was not seeking to benefit at the 'expense of its neighbours'. India is also worried about Beijing's efforts to strengthen its influence in South Asia, and Chinese observers said the project could help increase its sway over countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, which have long struggled with power shortages. The project 'will undoubtedly become a major power hub for surrounding countries and related neighbouring regions', according to Zhu Feng, dean of the school of international studies at Nanjing University. 'It will have significant strategic value in boosting electricity supply and industrial growth in the surrounding regions,' he said. It would also play an important role in driving economic cooperation with its neighbours, something Beijing has made a priority in light of its rivalry with the US. Lin Minwang, deputy director of Fudan University's Centre for South Asian Studies, said that in the long run, the hydropower project could help draw Southeast and South Asian countries more closely into China's economic orbit through electricity exports. He said India might also benefit from the power generated from the dam, but border tensions would complicate the issue. 'The key issue is political relations,' said Lin. 'Northeast India is a highly sensitive area for New Delhi, and if electricity is to be sent to Bangladesh, it would require a transit route.' India has already been investing heavily in hydropower projects in Nepal and Bhutan to secure its own supplies. 'Whether those countries will choose China or India [for future power imports] is another much bigger question,' Lin added. The dam will be built close to the border with India and flows through Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian-controlled state that China claims as part of southern Tibet. Beijing has previously objected to Indian infrastructure projects in the state. Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Beijing's Renmin University, said the project was first of all designed to meet China's own power needs, and 'whether demand is sufficient in the present domestic economic downturn and whether it is environmentally less risky are other matters'. China has tried to address concerns about the environmental risk posed by the project and its impact on water supplies downstream, and said it would continue to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that the project 'aims to accelerate the development of clean energy' and 'comprehensive ecological and environmental protection measures' would be adopted. 'It will, as a by-product, aggravate the tensions with India and attract some Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries to China's power diplomacy. So it has double effects both internal and external,' Shi said. 'It will correspondingly increase China's influence [in Southeast Asia], in a competitive geopolitical arena over which the US and its allies have somewhat preponderance, especially because of [Donald] Trump's most recent trade agreements.' Lu Gang, director of the Institute of International Studies at East China Normal University, said ensuring stable power supplies for its neighbours could 'help shape a positive image of China'. '[This] will build trust with other countries. And, naturally, economic dependence will follow,' Lu said. He also said the project may also have a longer-term strategic impact on regions such as Central Asia. 'For Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan – both have abundant hydropower resources, but their infrastructure is weak. So if the project in Tibet is successfully implemented and generates economic benefits, it will serve as a stimulus,' he said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
The Star
9 hours ago
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Hong Kong sees 12% YoY growth in tourist arrivals for first half of 2025
Citizens take photos of cruising fishing vessels on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Hong Kong, July 1, 2025. - Photo: Xinhua HONG KONG: Hong Kong recorded about 24 million tourist arrivals between January and June, up 12 percent year-on-year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Saturday (July 26). In June alone, around 3.48 million arrivals were recorded, up 11 percent, with about 2.61 million visitors coming from the Chinese mainland. The data showed steady growth in visitor numbers during the first half of the year. Arrivals from the mainland totaled about 17.8 million, up 10 percent compared to the same period last year, while non-mainland visitors amounted to around 5.84 million, representing a 17 percent year-on-year increase. Among short-haul markets, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines recorded growth of 25 percent or more. For long-haul markets, visitor arrivals from Australia saw the sharpest growth, rising by 33 percent compared to the same period last year. To boost summer tourism and spending, the tourism board recently launched a summer-themed campaign, offering over 150 summer rewards and consumption perks to both locals and tourists. - China Daily/ANN
