My Story with China: Falling in Love with China, Twice

Author: Ms. Esty Nadya Rafyanti, Technical Policy Analyst, Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Repubilc of Indonesia

I never imagined I would fall in love with China not once, but twice in 2025. Once as a civil servant on an official mission, and once as a happy tourist chasing autumn leaves. But life, as always, surprised me in the best way.

Chapter 1: The Unexpected Journey That Started It All

In June 2025, I had the privilege of visiting China as one of ten Indonesian delegates selected for the Seminar on China-ASEAN Young Leaders Growth Program, sponsored by MOFCOM and organized by CAEXPO Secretariat. We travelled on service passports, carried official responsibilities, and were welcomed with a warmth that felt both diplomatic and deeply personal.

Our program took us across Nanning, Sanjiang, Fuzhou, and Xiamen, a journey so rich that the report we produced barely captured half the magic behind the scenes. We studied AI innovation, digital development, economic cooperation, and the evolving vision of China-ASEAN collaboration.

I still remember sitting in one of our AI sessions and visiting Runjian Wuxiang Cloud Valley Intelligent Computing Center, listening to experts explain emerging models that could shape industries across borders. In that moment, it struck me: technology feels different when you experience it where it’s being built.

China showed us what the future looks like, especially in the use of AI across sectors. One highlight was seeing how AI transforms agriculture, from smart irrigation to crop monitoring, from automated farming equipment to AI-driven productivity tools.

Between classes, we explored the cultural heartbeat of every city we visited. In Sanjiang, we wandered across the iconic Dong ethnic Wind and Rain Bridge, and spent the evening watching a beautiful live-action theatre performance. Before the show, our class even learned traditional Dong songs and dances, standing in a circle, holding hands, and trying our best to follow the rhythm. And somehow, during the theatre performance itself, all of us ASEAN delegates somehow ended up on stage, dancing together with the performers and visitors. Spontaneous, hilarious, and unforgettable.

In Fuzhou, we had official meetings and site visits to see the real-world progress of China’s development vision. We saw firsthand how local industries and government institutions put their policies into action, and strengthen connections with China–ASEAN cooperation. When evening fell, we wandered in Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a beautiful historic neighbourhood, surrounded by traditional architecture and tiny artisan shops.

Then came Xiamen (ahhh yes, Xiamen), had this effortless blend of coastal charm and vibrant nightlife, yet also a city known for its strength in digital development and innovation. To me, Xiamen felt young, forward-looking, and full of energy. It was impossible not to be inspired.

And then, there were the fun and very unexpected highlights, like the night we all discovered the magic of Taobao.

If you ask anyone from our cohort what they remember most vividly, they’ll probably scream-laugh answering: “THE SHOPPING.”

Every night in Nanning, parcels magically appeared at the hotel lobby of the Howard Johnson CAEXPO Plaza. Eventually, the receptionist laughed every time we approached the counter because we were always picking up another delivery.

The magic wasn’t only in the curriculum and cultural things, it was in the people too. The CAEXPO team, who spent 14 full days with us, were the real heart of the experience. They weren’t just organizers. They were warm, thoughtful, and wholeheartedly present in every step of our journey. They looked after us like old friends, even though we had just met. And somehow, in those two weeks, the ASEAN participants also became more than colleagues from different countries. We became a mini family.

Up until today, months after the program ended, we still share life updates, career news, and little pieces of our daily lives. I never expected an international seminar to give me lifelong friends, but China surprised me again.

By the end of the program, something unexpected had happened. I had developed a genuine admiration (almost a longing) to see more of China. So instead of closing a chapter as I boarded my flight home in June, I quietly promised myself: I’ll be back.

Chapter 2: A Promise Kept, A Heart Stolen in Autumn

And I kept that promise…

In November 2025, with no official itinerary, no back-to-back seminars, and no service passport this time. I flew back to China for a private holiday.

My first destination? Chengdu, the gateway to Sichuan’s mythical landscapes. But it was Jiuzhaigou that completely stole my heart.

If June’s journey was a professional awakening, November was a love letter to nature. Jiuzhaigou in autumn is… how do I even put this into words? Imagine every shade of gold, amber, ruby, and evergreen painting a valley so beautiful. Lakes shimmered in impossible turquoise and mountains glowed with fiery colors!!!

I must have said “Woooow!!！” at least fifty times a day. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes loudly enough that nearby tourists laughed. We explored Five Flower Lake to Long Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, and Mirror Lake. The shuttle buses made it easy to hop between stops for minimal effort but maximum photos. Every lake, every waterfall felt like a dream.

From Sichuan, I continued to Shanghai and Suzhou. China’s diversity became so real to me. In one trip, I experienced untouched nature and modern urban life, both exciting in their own rhythm.

Every time I travel in China, one thing shocks me again and again: the transportation system. From the buses, metro, to the high-speed railway, everything is aligned. Easy. Seamless. Efficient. Payments? Just scan with WeChat Pay and you’re done.

And then there’s Didi, ride-hailing in China that feels like entering a showroom. Every car I booked, from my June seminar to my November holiday, was new and futuristic.

China made me feel like I was living ten years ahead of my actual timeline.

What China Taught Me

People often ask what I took away from these two very different journeys. What I really gained from China was perspective.

From the seminars in June, I learned how China envisions its future through technology and regional partnership. I saw firsthand how policy, innovation, and culture intertwine.

From my trip in November, I learned how landscapes shape its soul, how cities express its aspirations, and how its heritage breathes through every bridge, valley, and street.

A Story I Carry With Me

When I think about the China-ASEAN Young Leaders Growth Program, I still smile remembering our cohort, 29 participants from across Southeast Asia, coming from different ministries and sectors, but united in curiosity and purpose. This writing itself cannot fully capture the laughter, the late-night conversations, or the way we bonded over differences that melted into friendship.

And when I think of my November trip, I feel warmth in my chest. Jiuzhaigou’s autumn wasn’t just beautiful, it felt like a gift.

China, to me, became a place where professional growth met personal joy, where learning was followed by longing.

I came as a delegate. I returned as a traveller.

And somewhere in between, I fell in love with the country.

That is my story with China.

A story of discovery, gratitude, and a heart that already knows:

I will be back again.