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Agence France-Presse

Indonesian President Joko Widodo broke ground on Thursday on the country’s first ever bullet train line, heralding the project as a symbol of “major cooperation” with China.
The controversial US$5.6 billion project sparked a fierce bidding war between China and Japan as the two Asian powerhouses jostle to build key infrastructure projects in Indonesia and the wider region.
Widodo kicked off the first construction phase at a tea plantation in West Java, where one of the stations along the line will be situated.
“Send my regards to [Chinese] President Xi Jinping (习近平),” Widodo said at the event, attended by Chinese officials.
“This is a [sign of] major cooperation between Indonesia and China,” he added, calling for the two trading partners to further expanded ties in other industries.
The bullet train should in theory be able to travel up to 350km/h between the sprawling capital Jakarta and the mountain-fringed city of Bandung, about 160km away.
Send my regards to [Chinese] President Xi Jinping. This is a [sign of] major cooperation between Indonesia and China
Indonesian President Joko Widodo
It is a key project for Widodo, who has pledged to overhaul the archipelago’s rickety infrastructure in a bid to attract investors and boost growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, which last year dipped below 5 per cent.

Last year Jakarta asked for proposals from investors for the ambitious project, with China and Japan bidding so intensely a senior minister likened Indonesia to a pretty girl being courted by many admirers.
READ MORE: China wins Indonesia high-speed rail project as Japan laments ‘extremely regrettable’ U-turn
After a chaotic bidding process, China was awarded the contract – infuriating Japan, which was long expected to build the track given its high-speed rail expertise.
Indonesia lacks a mass-transport system, forcing its increasingly affluent 250 million people to rely heavily on private transport, resulting in grinding traffic in the biggest cities.
Widodo said he hoped the high-speed railway would spur demand for future public transport alternatives in other parts of Indonesia, as well as speed up the movement of people and goods between cities, helping economic growth.
Construction of the line is expected to finish by 2018, and it should be operational the following year.


Indonesia kicks off construction of bullet train with project partner China

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center, inspects a model of the high-speed train which will connect the capital city of Jakarta to the country's fourth largest city, Bandung, along with from left to right, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, Director of Indonesia China High Speed Train Hanggoro Budi Wiryawan, President of China Railway Corp. Sheng Guangzu and Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its railway in Cikalong Wetan, West Java, Indonesia, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Visitors pose for a photograph next to a model of a train while attending a ground breaking ceremony for the Jakarta-Bandung fast-train railway line in Walini, West Java province, Indonesia January 21, 2016. REUTERS/Garry Lotulung FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (centre), and Director of Indonesia China High Speed Train Hanggoro Budi Wiryawan, President of China Railway Corp Sheng Guangzu and Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong (far right).Photo: AP

Indonesian authorities confront mounting challenge as they attempt to tighten border security in wake of Jakarta attack

Police officers checked motorcyclists at a security check point in Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. Security at resort island of Bali has been increased after the Jakarta attack, which was the first major assault by militants in Indonesia since 2009. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

epa05112687 Indonesian policemen check motorcyclists during a road block to thwart an anticipate terrorism threat in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, 20 January 2016. Bali enhaced security following the arrival of a threat of an attack by letter in Bali. A letter containing the threat of terror bomb was immediately responded to by police less than a week after the deadly terror attack in Jakarta. EPA/J.CHRIS

Police officers checked motorcyclists at a security check point in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: AP

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Indonesia kicks off construction of bullet train with project partner China

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