“Kindred Spirits from Hubei, Uniting in Indonesia; Crossing Mountains and Seas, Riding the Wave Forward.” On 15 October 2025, the Inaugural Ceremony of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce was held in grand scale in Jakarta, Indonesia, simultaneously connected with a venue in Shenzhen, China. Participants included representatives from Indonesia’s political and business circles, overseas Chinese organizations, Chinese‑funded institutions, peer chambers of commerce, media delegations, as well as over 200 enterprise founders and distinguished figures from Hubei province — all gathered together to witness this milestone moment.

At the solemn unveiling ceremony, representatives from Indonesia’s business community joined with senior Chinese institutional leaders to inaugurate the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce. This marks a new stage in economic, trade and cultural exchange between Hubei Province and Indonesia.

▲Official Unveiling of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce

▲Inaugural Ceremony of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce held in Jakarta

In his speech titled “Kindred Spirits from Hubei, Uniting in Indonesia,” Professor Xu Kaihua, Chairman of GEM and Chairman of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce, drew on the concept of “Kindred Spirits Culture” to passionately explain the spirit of Chumerchants (referred to as “Hubei entrepreneurs”): “valuing emotional bonds, seeking kindred spirits.” He stated: “Today, we have travelled from the banks of the Han River, the shores of the Yangtze, to the archipelagic nation of thousands of islands — for a rendezvous in the new era: ‘Kindred Spirits from Hubei, Uniting in Indonesia.’”

▲Professor Xu Kaihua, Chairman of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of GEM, delivering his speech

Chairman Xu Kaihua emphasized that the Chamber’s founding is not merely a “friendship appointment, crossing seas in search of kindred spirits,” but also a “appointment of the era, responding to the tide of globalization.” He stressed that in the face of global competition and shifting circumstances, “the age of companies acting alone is over. A new era of collective growth and strategic collaboration has arrived. The establishment of the Chamber is precisely about building a ‘home for Chumerchants,’ advancing us from ‘going fast alone’ to ‘going far together.’” This is both an inheritance of the Chumerchant spirit and a call to future development.

He further defined the Chamber as a “appointment of strength,” indicating that it will support Hubei in building a strategic pivot for the rise of China’s central region, and will promote the meeting of “Hubei’s ‘industrial innovation flame’ with Indonesia’s ‘resourcemarket fuel,’” injecting the strength of Chumerchants in Indonesian into hometown development.

When expounding on the “appointment of spirit”, Chairman Xu Kaihua described how the pioneering spirit of the Chu-merchants—“blazing trails through adversity to open up new frontiers”—has been passed down through generations. Chu‑merchants around the world are a formidable force with global vision and a bold pioneering spirit. Chairman Xu Kaihua cited GEM’s initiatives in Indonesia—including the construction of the green nickel resource plant, the training of local talent, and the donation of a joint laboratory—as examples, emphasizing that “Hubei entrepreneurs have always demonstrated their sense of responsibility through action.” He solemnly declared: “We will string the ‘pearls’ scattered across Indonesia into a ‘necklace,’ proving to the world — Chu‑merchants are Hubei’s pride and a significant force for Indonesia and indeed global development.”

Looking ahead, Chairman Xu Kaihua set out three major missions for the Chamber:

To serve Chu‑merchants by building a “home in Indonesia,” resolving difficulties for Indonesian‑based Chu‑merchants, and promoting their stable settlement and thriving livelihood.

To serve Chu‑merchants in rooting in Indonesia by creating platforms, forging broad good relationships, and growing together with Indonesia.

To serve Chu‑merchants in connecting to the vast ASEAN market and projecting into global networks, so that “Hubei Manufacturing” and “Chu‑merchant Wisdom” may shine worldwide.

In her heartfelt remarks, Ms Cheng Zhenghong, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce, stated that the formal unveiling of the Chamber is “an important moment for all Hubei compatriots working and doing business in Indonesia.” She reviewed the nearly decade‑long journey of the Chamber: from the launch of preparatory work in 2015, registration completed on 5 June 2024, to today’s inaugural ceremony. She expressed her sincere gratitude to leaders at all levels for their care, to the dedicated hometown figures from Hubei, and to all partners from every walk of life for their staunch support. She noted that the inaugural ceremony marks a new starting point, and that the Chamber will uphold its purpose of “serving members, promoting cooperation, integrating into Indonesia, and giving back to society.” It will focus on building four major platforms: a trade platform connecting the two places, a cooperation platform gathering resources, a service platform protecting rights and interests, and a networking platform bonding hometown sentiments. She called on everyone to take the establishment of the Chamber as an opportunity, walk side by side, develop together, and jointly write a new chapter of cooperation between Hubei and Indonesia.

▲Ms Cheng Zhenghong, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce, delivering her remarks

Mr Li Feng, Chief Representative of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Representative Office in Indonesia, said in his remarks that the establishment of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce of Commerce “is timely and highly significant.” He pointed out that Hubei has a solid industrial foundation, Indonesia offers a broad market prospect, and with the full implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the high‑quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), localized cross‑regional cooperation between the two countries is entering a new opportunity period. He hoped that the Chamber would fully play the role of a dependable home base for Hubei entrepreneurs, helping members to resolve difficulties, integrate into the mainstream and develop together, and actively promote China‑Indonesia cooperation in key industries and emerging fields, “telling the Hubei story and showcasing the positive image of Chinese enterprises.”

▲Mr Li Feng, Chief Representative of the CCPIT Representative Office in Indonesia, delivering his speech

Mr Sun Shangbin, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia & Manager of Bank of China (Jakarta Branch), congratulated the establishment of the Chamber and praised Hubei entrepreneurs who “inherit the Hubei spirit, devote themselves to various industries with diligence, resilience and wisdom, and contribute to local economic development.” He stated that the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce is not only a new starting point for Hubei entrepreneurs to develop together, but also an important bridge for China‑Indonesia people‑to‑people exchange and cooperation. With the deep implementation of the Belt & Road Initiative, there is broad cooperation space in new energy vehicles, logistics, industrial park cooperation, agricultural technology and other fields. He pledged that the ICC­CI will continue to support the construction and development of the Hubei Chamber, hand in hand promoting more pragmatic projects, jointly contributing to high‑quality China‑Indonesia cooperation.

▲Mr Sun Shangbin, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia & Country Manager of Bank of China (Jakarta Branch), delivering his remarks

At the inaugural ceremony, congratulatory videos were also delivered from leaders of the United Front Work Department of the Hubei Provincial Committee, the Hubei Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Hubei Chu‑Merchants Federation, the National Economic Council (Indonesia), as well as institutions and companies such as the Hubei Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen and Huawei Indonesia, conveying the hometown government and partners’ heartfelt care for Chu‑merchants overseas. Mr Chen Riling, Chairman of the Indonesian Guangdong Chamber of Commerce, and Mr Hu Xiaojie, Chairman of the Indonesian Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of brother chambers, delivered addresses to extend warm congratulations on the founding of the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce, and looked forward to strengthening inter‑chamber cooperation in the future to jointly explore markets and pursue development.

As Chairman Xu Kaihua said: “When the cherry blossoms of Wuhan meet the frangipani of Bali, when the tea fragrance of Enshi mingles with the coffee aroma of Sumatra — a new‑era Chu‑merchant ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’ is being written by us.” With Indonesia as our base, the Chamber as our vessel, and the Chu‑merchant spirit as our oar, the Indonesian Hubei General Chamber of Commerce will join hands with the wide body of Chu‑merchants and sail towards an broader and brighter future.