New Energies, Old Practices

China is an essential partner to make Indonesia's dream of becoming a leader in green industries come true. Chinese companies are reported to have invested over US$ 30 billion in the Indonesian nickel supply chain, one of the largest Belt and Road Initiative projects in Southeast Asia. 

Now, China is also present in Indonesia’s plan to build the solar panel supply chain, which will involve processing quartz sand. One of the largest quartz sand processing facilities in the world is already being planned in Indonesia’s western island of Rempang. 

But the proposal has already come under criticism.

Forced eviction is looming over the residents of Rempang, who are expected by the developers to give up their historical villages for the project. 

Land grabbing is not new in Indonesia’s development practices, and can still be found in more recent projects, including green and renewable energy ones. Experts agreed that this must change. 

With Xi Jinping’s pledge of greener Chinese investments, can China give the necessary pressure for Indonesia to improve its practices?

Watch the video below to learn more.