Dino Patti Djalal, founder and chairman of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, receives the "Friendship Envoy Award" at the Inaugural Orchid Awards ceremony in Beijing on Sept. 8. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]

Dino Patti Djalal, founder and chairman of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), received the "Friendship Envoy Award" at the awarding ceremony of the inaugural Orchid Awards in Beijing on Friday for his exceptional contributions to fostering China-ASEAN exchange and cooperation.

The Orchid Awards, initiated by China International Communications Group (CICG), recognize non-Chinese individuals and organizations globally that have furthered international cultural exchanges and advanced mutual understanding between China and other civilizations.

The awards span three categories: Lifetime Honorary Prize, Outstanding Achievement Prize, and Friendship Envoy Prize, with recipients chosen based on their achievements, contributions, and global influence. The Friendship Envoy Award specifically acknowledges those fostering cross-cultural comprehension and mutual respect.

Djalal's significant efforts to nurture mutual understanding, bolstering both ASEAN-China and Indonesia-China relations, rightfully earned him the Friendship Envoy Award.

The award citation highlights his role as a trailblazer in public diplomacy in Southeast Asia and an advocate of the "Bandung Spirit" – a principle rooted in the 1955 Bandung Conference advocating for sovereignty, mutual respect and cooperation among developing nations. He actively promotes collaboration, mutual assistance and bonds between people. As a vanguard of ASEAN-China youth exchanges, he endeavors to establish channels for communication, comprehension, and harmonious interactions among Generation Z throughout the region.

"I want to thank the CICG for the honor of the Orchid Awards. It is a great honor for my Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, which is the largest grassroots foreign policy group in the Asia Pacific," Djalal said. He highlighted the significance of the Orchid Awards in promoting global cultural and people-to-people connections.

"I believe that people-to-people exchange is the foundation of all good relations," he told China.org.cn. "My organization and I have been working very hard on promoting people-to-people contact, and I'm very pleased that these efforts have been appreciated and recognized."

Under his leadership, the FPCI launched the annual Global Town Hall conference, a platform for political dignitaries from various countries and international organizations to discuss the most pressing global challenges. In this year's conference held on Sept. 2, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi shared his perspective, highlighting the need for genuine multilateralism, fostering good neighborliness and friendship, and pursuing comprehensive security. 

Djalal also led the FPCI in conducting the annual ASEAN-China Survey, providing insights into how the ASEAN population perceives the friendly and mutually beneficial nature of ASEAN-China relations.

The organization convened the China Forum, facilitating discussions among experts and scholars from ASEAN countries and China on developments and challenges in ASEAN-China and China-Indonesia relations. Additionally, the FPCI has a China Policy Group where Indonesian officials and experts share views and updates on China. 

For the younger generation, the FPCI organized the "Halo China video competition" to engage more students in learning about Indonesia-China relations, and the main theme of this year's competition is "Together Towards Future: Celebrating 10th Anniversary of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Belt and Road Initiative."

Reflecting on the past decade, Djalal highlighted the enhancement of Indonesia-China ties as comprehensive strategic partners. He emphasized the profound trust nurtured both at the leadership level and among the broader public of the two nations.

"We're making an effort to make people understand one another through exchanges, through dialogue," he remarked, envisioning a more robust foundation for people-to-people relations in Asia.

"I think this is the Asian century. Indonesia is an emerging economy with high growth, and China is the mover of the world economy. As we maintain a positive growth in our relationship, I think the future is bright," he said.

The Orchid Awards highlight the pivotal role of interpersonal exchanges in nurturing global cultural connections. Djalal's exceptional contributions exemplify how individuals and groups can champion diplomatic efforts and international collaboration, strengthening bonds of friendship and mutual respect among nations.

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