Rail project broadens horizons in Indonesia

Learning 10 words a day

Li Bin, a project manager at the No 2 work section of Jakarta-Bandung HSR project of China Railway Group's Second Branch, came to Indonesia a year ago to oversee the construction of the Tegal Luar station, the last stop of the railway.

Though there are on-site translators, Li pushes himself to recite 10 Indonesian words per day and encourages his Chinese colleagues to do the same.

"Learning 10 words a day is still far from enabling me to speak Indonesian fluently, but I think this is the first step to help me better communicate with our Indonesian colleagues," said Li. "It is also a way to show my kindness, ... they have learned some Chinese too."

Ahmad Nandang, 55, a welder at a steel structure processing plant in Bandung for the HSR project, lives just 10 minutes away from the plant. Two years ago, he was introduced to the company through a friend. His current role pays him 30 percent more than his previous job, and the father of five can now better support his family.

"I don't feel working here is anything different from working in an Indonesian company, but I do get to see a lot of new machines here," said Nandang.

On May 14, the Jakarta-Bandung HSR project marked another milestone with the breakthrough of the Walini Tunnel in West Bandung regency, the first among 13 tunnels in the project.

This Walini Tunnel breakthrough will persuade Indonesian people that having HSR rail in Indonesia is an expectation that can be fulfilled," said Chandra Dwiputra, managing director of KCIC, as quoted by Xinhua News Agency.