Assistant Professor Angela Tritto together with Dr. Punto Wijayanto from Trisakti University in Jakarta have recently published a chapter titled “The Maritime Silk Road: Tourism, Heritage, Symbols and the People-to-People Dimension of China’s Heritage Diplomacy in Indonesia” in the book Heritage Conservation and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (Routledge).

The chapter examines the nexus of economic, cultural, and diplomatic activities that constitute China’s heritage diplomacy in Indonesia and is set in the context of the rising importance of Chinese tourists and investments in Indonesia’s tourism, which became a prominent part of the diplomatic talks in BRI forums to direct Chinese investments towards the fulfillment of Indonesia’s “10 New Balis” policy.

At the same time, the chapter examines the efforts to establish the Cheng Ho Sea Route program in Indonesia. Finally, the study discusses the case of Lasem, one of the first success stories of regenerating a historical town connected to forgotten Chinese heritage in Indonesia.

Angela Tritto and Punto Wijayanto. 2023. “The Maritime Silk Road: Tourism, Heritage, Symbols and the People-to-People Dimension of China’s Heritage Diplomacy in Indonesia.” In Heritage Conservation and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, edited by Victor C.M. Chan, Yew-Fong Hui, Desmond Hui, and Kazem Vafadari. London: Routledge.