Indonesia to launch China-funded high-speed rail, first in Southeast Asia

Passengers alight after riding on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train during a week-long public trial phase at the Halim station in Jakarta on September 17, 2023. The operation of a high-speed railway running from capital Jakarta to the Javan city of Bandung funded by Beijing is set to open next month after a series of delays. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)

Indonesia is set to launch Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway on Monday, a delayed multibillion-dollar project backed by China that will cut travel between capital Jakarta and another major city by hours.

The Chinese-made bullet train named “Whoosh” is built to take more than 600 people to and from Jakarta and the Javan city of Bandung in 45 minutes and is part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

President Joko Widodo has lauded the project for the fast ride it will provide between the two…