Indonesia Films Movie in China to Strengthen Cultural Ties

A new Indonesian movie has chosen a unique location for its production: north-central China. The film, "Assalamualaikum Beijing 2: Lost in Ningxia," was shot in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. This area features desert mountains and ancient mausoleums. It is also a center for China's Hui Muslim community. The production uses Chinese landscapes as a backdrop for an Indonesian story. Analysts say this collaboration signals a deliberate move by both Indonesia and China. The two nations are using filmmaking as a tool for cultural diplomacy. This effort aims to build soft power and strengthen bilateral relations through shared cultural elements.