Feature: Learning Chinese opens doors to broader opportunities for students in Indonesia's Purwokerto

PURWOKERTO, Indonesia, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Under the morning sun in Purwokerto city in Indonesia's Central Java province, the sound of young voices reciting Chinese rhymes echoes through the classrooms of Sekolah 3 Bahasa Putera Harapan, a trilingual institution locally known as Puhua School. For students here, learning Chinese is more than just mastering a foreign language, it's a gateway to broader opportunities.

"At Puhua School, Chinese is used to teach more than just language. It's the medium for classes like traditional Chinese dance, martial arts, Di Zi Gui, calligraphy, and chess," said Chen Tao, the school's principal. "We aim to foster globally minded students fluent in Indonesian, Chinese, and English."

Founded in 1906 by the local Chinese community, the school has evolved into a full-time international institution officially registered with Indonesia's Ministry of Education. Today, it accommodates over 950 students and employs 24 Chinese teachers. Kindergarten classes are taught nearly half in Chinese, and students in all grades receive at least 10 Chinese lessons per week.

The school's cultural mission extends beyond language instruction. Open to students of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Muslim families, Puhua School has become a hub for promoting Chinese language and culture in Indonesia.

"Chinese education here has moved from supplementary to mainstream," said Lu Xiaoqian, director of the Chinese department at the school and a teacher from China's Hebei Province. "When I arrived 20 years ago, most students were ethnic Chinese. Now, around 35 percent are from non-Chinese backgrounds. Their parents see Chinese as a practical second language for academic advancement and future careers."

As China-Indonesia cooperation continues to deepen under the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in infrastructure, new energy, and the digital economy, Chinese has gained traction as a "career asset" for Indonesian youth.

"Speaking Chinese has opened doors for me. It has brought me not just a well-paid job, but also respect," said local Chinese teacher Opsie Emalia Putri, who studied in China and is currently pursuing a master's degree in international Chinese education.

"With more Chinese companies investing in Indonesia, there is a growing demand for local talents who can speak Chinese," she added. "And now, more families see Chinese as a path to better jobs and international education."

For Professor Nuriyeni Kartika Bintarsari, head of international relations at Jenderal Soedirman University, enrolling her daughter at Puhua School was a strategic decision. "China is one of the world's most important countries and ASEAN's closest partners," she said. "Our young people must understand China and communicate with confidence."

She hopes her daughter will study in China, gain global exposure, and one day contribute to strengthening bilateral ties. "We need a generation with international vision, cultural understanding, and communication skills," she added.

One student already on that path is 18-year-old Oliviti Stefi Salonga, also known by her Chinese name Zhang Ziyi. After winning first place in the Central Java division of the "Chinese Bridge" language competition in 2024, she has been admitted to Tsinghua University.

"Because I can speak Chinese, I can now watch Chinese dramas without subtitles and use Chinese social media apps easily. It's amazing," she said. Her dream is to study architecture in China. "Chinese culture and design fascinate me, especially places like the Forbidden City, where every detail feels like art. Tsinghua has one of the best architecture programs in the world."

Oliviti's story is not unique. Many Puhua School graduates have enrolled at leading Chinese universities such as Fudan and Xiamen, joined Chinese-invested enterprises in Indonesia, or returned to their alma mater as Chinese teachers.

In January 2025, the school partnered with Baoding University and Baoding High School Education Group to establish Indonesia's first Confucius Classroom hosted at a secondary school. The initiative provides structured teaching resources and training, and supports the integration of "Chinese plus vocational skills" into the broader curriculum.

"As we always say, learning Chinese is like holding a key to a wider world," said Principal Chen. "With the strong momentum of China's development, we now have greater confidence in promoting Chinese education here." Enditem