Photography emerges as a powerful tool that breathes life into the stories of a multicultural continent and ignites public consciousness of pressing global concerns. Gaby Lin reports from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Enjoying the exhibits of the Changing Asia — Working Together for a Shared Future exhibition (front row, from left) are Tanjung Sentosa, founder of Kraftig Advertising; Zhou Kan, charge d’affaires ad interim and minister of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia; Daniel Johan, deputy chairman of Commission IV of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia; Geng Hailing, counselor for press and public diplomacy, Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN; and Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. The exhibition is co-organized by China Daily and Asia News Network and held in Kota Kasablanka mall in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday. The exhibition has drawn the attention of photographers from 36 countries and regions, with 1,200 images submitted. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
A photo exhibition in Jakarta captures people’s daily lives and profound changes across Asia in the past three years, telling stories about the resilience, adaptability and indomitability that shape the vibrant continent.
Jointly curated by China Daily and Asia News Network (ANN), a regional news coalition of 22 media organizations, a photo exhibition titled Changing Asia — Working Together for a Shared Future opened on Wednesday at a stylish shopping mall in the southern part of Indonesia’s capital city.
The five-day event, which runs through Sunday, features 111 photos selected out of more than 1,200 submissions in a pan-Asian open call that attracted photographers from 36 countries and regions. The batch of photos chronicles a variety of meaningful scenes, from significant occasions to ordinary life moments, offering viewers a more-tangible perspective on Asia’s transformation.
Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony of Changing Asia — Working Together for a Shared Future exhibition are (from left to right) Argus Ang, CEO of RVi Group; Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific; Zhou Kan, charge d’affaires ad interim and minister of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia; Daniel Johan, deputy chairman of Commission IV of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia; Geng Hailing, counselor for press and public diplomacy, Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN; Hugo Diba, CEO of Kumparan; and Tanjung Sentosa, founder of Kraftig Advertising. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition on Wednesday, Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific, said the exhibition provides a stage that illuminates exceptional photographers from all corners of Asia.
He said the exhibition applauded the photographers’ skills and the narratives they weave through their lenses.
“This is not merely an exhibition, but a testament to the expanding reach and influence of our initiative. It is a visual narrative of our shared journey, emphasizing the fortitude and adaptability of our people amidst global adversities,” Zhou said.
Zhou Kan, charge d’affaires ad interim and minister of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, also attended the ceremony. He said the exhibition opened on a very important day, as leaders and representatives from over 140 countries were gathering in Beijing for the ongoing Belt and Road summit, witnessing the achievement of the program.
Zhou Kan, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the international the photography exhibition coorganized by China Daily and Asia News Network at Kota Kasablanka Mall in Jakarta on Oct 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Daniel Johan, deputy chairman of Commission IV, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the photography exhibition coorganized by China Daily and Asia News Network at Kota Kasablanka mall in Jakarta on Oct 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Hugo Diba, CEO of Kumparan, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the photography exhibition coorganized by China Daily and Asia News Network at Kota Kasablanka Mall in Jakarta on Oct 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
He also said that President Xi Jinping and his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, have just jointly announced the commercial operation of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway.
“This is a very important fruit of the bilateral cooperation between China and Indonesia and also reflects the high-level cooperation between the two sides,” Zhou Kan said.
Daniel Johan, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, praised the role China plays in Asia’s development, saying that China is the center and the strength of growth in Asia.
“I hope that in the future, Asia will become the center of the world, and there will be peace, equality, growth, and cooperation,” Johan said during his speech.
Geng Hailing, counselor for press and public diplomacy, Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, also attended the opening ceremony, along with scores of guests that included representatives from local enterprises and media organizations, as well as key opinion leaders from Hong Kong.
Visitors appreciate the exhibits and exchange ideas at the Changing Asia — Working Together for a Shared Future exhibition held in Kota Kasablanka mall in Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Visitors appreciate the exhibits and exchange ideas at the Changing Asia — Working Together for a Shared Future exhibition held in Kota Kasablanka mall in Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Hugo Diba, CEO of Indonesian media company Kumparan, said he believes that photography is still important nowadays, as it can capture the right moment and tell the complexity of stories. “The exhibition promotes the power of photography and tells the story of the changing Asia, the diversity of the culture, the society,” Diba said. “That’s why the event is very special and good.”
The photo exhibition has drawn a lot of attention from local residents. Fransisca Rania, who was in a rush to get to her company meeting, said she stopped for the event in particular as the appealing photos caught her eye.
Visitors appreciate the exhibits and exchange ideas at the Changing Asia — Working Together for a Shared Future exhibition held in Kota Kasablanka mall in Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
A photo capturing a dying bird in a lake impressed Sutadi Ng the most. “The photo is creating awareness in the community that we need to coexist with animals. It’s more like giving us an insight. Because without this photo, we don’t know what is going on in the world, to the animals. Because animals cannot speak,” the company manager said.
“I think the whole world needs to cooperate together to protect the environment, rather than thinking about their own backyard.”
Benito Copulalan, an Indonesian writer, told China Daily that he’s happy to see so many photos. “In Jakarta, sometimes it has government-to-government events, and then business-to-business events. But creative events are something rare. I think we need more events like this.”
Novy, another local resident, agreed. “I really like this kind of event. Because people don’t really appreciate photographers. An exhibition like this makes people see that photographers can make a picture and have meanings behind the pictures.”
Aerial view of the exhibition. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Photographer Bambang Wirawan, whose piece was selected for the exhibition, uses the platform to enlarge his call for ocean conservation. His photo captures the moment fishermen from an Alor sea tribe in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province catch fish.
“I chose this photo because I wanted to help campaign for the protection of the sea,” Wirawan said.
“Working together for the future is reflected in how the people of Alor work together to protect the ocean with wise fishing practices. Let’s take care of the sea wisely.”
Leonardus Jegho contributed to the story.
Contact the writer at gabylin@chinadailyhk.com
