Indonesia to Renegotiate High-Speed Rail Cost-Sharing with China

China backs Indonesia’s Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail HSR as Jakarta pursues loan restructuring.
A Whoosh train in Jakarta. China backs Indonesia’s Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail HSR as Jakarta pursues loan restructuring. (Photo: Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

Indonesia will reopen talks with China on how to split a $1.2 billion cost overrun on the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail, Whoosh, as a new state holding prepares a debt restructuring for the operator.

Whoosh is a 142-kilometer Jakarta–Bandung line that starts its operation in October 2023. A joint venture of Indonesian and Chinese state companies runs the service.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Edwin Shri Bimo

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
5 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
6
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors

You Might Like

China backs Indonesia’s Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail HSR as Jakarta pursues loan restructuring.

China Signals Support for Indonesia HSR; Debt Under Review

China said it is ready to help keep Indonesia’s Jakarta–Bandung high-speed line running smoothly as Jakarta opens talks to restructure project loans. In Beijing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasize that ...
Cambodia defends China’s Belt and Road Initiative BRI as critics raise debt trap concerns, with Sun Chanthol citing investment and trade.

Cambodia Defends China’s BRI Against Debt-Trap Accusation

China’s Belt and Road Initiative drew a forceful defense from Cambodia’s leadership this week, even as the accusations, mainly from the U.S. and its allies, over “debt-trap diplomacy” continue to shadow Beijing’s flagship ...
Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail “Whoosh” carried 5.1m riders in Jan–Oct 2025, but President Prabowo told his team to seek easier loan terms.

Indonesia to Renegotiate China Rail Loan, 5.1m Riders This Year

Indonesia’s Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail “Whoosh” carried 5.1 million passengers in January–October 2025, 6.3% more than a year earlier. The record lifts total ridership to more than 12.2 million since it opened on ...
Indonesia is sending its finance minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, to China for talks on restructuring Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail debt.

Indonesian Finance Minister Will Join Rail Debt Talks with China

Indonesia’s finance minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, will join a top-level delegation preparing to fly to China for debt-renegotiation talks on the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail project. Purbaya is joining the talks while ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP