China Ushers in New Era of High-Speed Rail in Southeast Asia

Indonesia's new Chinese-backed high-speed railway between Jakarta and Bandung will begin operations on Monday. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP

Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated Southeast Asia’s first-ever high-speed railway on Monday with the official opening of “Whoosh,” the Chinese-backed bullet train that zips at 350kmh between the capital Jakarta and the Javan city of Bandung.

The new railway opened four years behind schedule and $3 billion over budget but is still widely regarded as a landmark achievement that will significantly reduce travel times between two of Indonesia’s largest cities.

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by Eric Olander

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