Dongguan City Delegation and Cilegon City Discuss Strengthening Sister City Cooperation

Cilegon, July 31, 2026 — The cooperative relationship between Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China continues to be strengthened through the development of intercity relations, one of which is the Sister City cooperation initiative between Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China, and Cilegon City, Banten Province, Indonesia.

In order to explore and strengthen these cooperation opportunities, the Dongguan City Delegation paid a visit to Cilegon City on July 31, 2026. This activity was facilitated by the Indonesia China Business Council (ICBC) as part of efforts to boost the enhancement of cooperation between regional governments, the business sector, and various stakeholders from Indonesia and China.

The meeting between the Dongguan City Delegation and the Cilegon City Government became a strategic momentum to introduce the potentials, strengths, and investment and cooperation opportunities possessed by both cities. In addition to discussing intergovernmental relations, the meeting was also aimed at identifying strategic areas that can be developed within the framework of Sister City cooperation.

In the discussion, both sides saw a number of similarities in character and potential that can form the basis for developing cooperation. Cilegon City is known as one of Indonesia’s strategic industrial areas with a presence of various national and international industries, supported by port infrastructure, industrial zones, and a strategic geographic position as one of the gateways to economic activity in the Banten and Java Island region.

Meanwhile, Dongguan City is an important industrial city in Guangdong Province with extensive experience in manufacturing, technology, international trade, industrial zone development, and strengthening the investment and business ecosystem. These characteristics are seen as having opportunities to be collaborated with the potential possessed by Cilegon City.

In the context of Sister City, the cooperation discussed is not limited to ceremonial intergovernmental relationships, but is expected to yield concrete cooperation programs that provide direct benefits to the communities as well as the business world of both cities.

Several potential areas of focus in developing cooperation include investment and trade, industrial park development, manufacturing, technology and innovation, human resource development, education and vocational training, digital economy, development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and exchanging experiences in the management and development of industrial cities.

Furthermore, cooperation can also be directed at strengthening relationships among business actors through business matching, promotion of investment opportunities, exchange of information on policies and business opportunities, and facilitation of business delegation visits from both cities.

The presence of ICBC in the meeting plays a crucial role as a bridge linking the interests of local governments and business sectors from the two countries. Through this facilitation, it is hoped that the relationship between Cilegon City and Dongguan City can develop not only in terms of intergovernmental relations but also yield sustainable economic cooperation.

The Dongguan City Delegation visit is also expected to be the initial step toward drafting a Sister City cooperation document, which can then be continued through technical discussions between the two city governments. The document will later serve as the basis for formulating a more targeted, measurable, and sustainable cooperation program that benefits both cities and strengthens the friendship and economic cooperation between Indonesia and China.

Cilegon City Government welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with Dongguan City and views the Sister City relationship as a strategic instrument to expand international networks, improve regional competitiveness, and open new investment opportunities for Cilegon City.

With a closer relationship between Cilegon City and Dongguan City, it is hoped to form a strategic intercity partnership capable of driving economic growth, expanding market access, enhancing human resource quality, and creating investment and business cooperation opportunities for communities and entrepreneurs in both regions.

The visit on July 31, 2026, is an important part of the process of building a stronger foundation for cooperation between Cilegon City and Dongguan City. Through the support and facilitation of the Indonesia China Business Council, Sister City cooperation is expected to quickly move from the exploratory stage to real and sustainable cooperation programs that benefit both cities and further strengthen the friendship and economic cooperation between Indonesia and China.