Indonesia and China cooperate to build solar glass factory, island residents are dissatisfied with forced relocation and erupt in demonstrations
September 28, 2023
The Indonesian government recently required 7,500 residents of Rempang Island to move out by the end of September and be replaced by a huge quartz sand processing plant.
Following an agreement between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Chinese President Xi Jinping in July this year, Xinyi Glass Holdings Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest glass and solar panel manufacturers, will invest US$11.6 billion in Limbang. The island builds factories for manufacturing glass and solar panels.
Residents of Limbang Island mainly make a living by fishing. Relocation will cost them their jobs and may completely change their way of life. Demonstrations outside government offices turned into clashes with police. Another demonstration took place in Jakarta. Outside the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government said construction work on the plant will begin next year. The island will be turned into an “eco-city” by 2080. Xinyi Glass did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The protests appear to have achieved results. The original relocation date of September 28 has been postponed. A new date has not yet been announced, but locals say it will be a matter of time.
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2023-09-28 11:35:00
