Jakarta – Bandung High-Speed Railway as an Illustration of China’s Use of Soft Power to Gain Influence in Southeast Asia

Using the example of the Jakarta – Bandung high-speed railway, the article analyzes the three-stage structure of China’s interaction with Southeast Asian states based on the Technology – Convenience – Identity model, revealing the deep relationship between Beijing’s participation in creating significant infrastructure for a number of states and using it as a means of soft power. The study provides a deeper understanding of how infrastructure projects can influence the political position of states. It was noted that the construction of the Jakarta – Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia has led to noticeable positive changes in the daily lives of the local population. The perception of China in Indonesian society has become more positive, which can be regarded as an increase in its influence in the region. Indonesia now has new opportunities to offset the pressure from the United States by using China’s scientific, technical and economic resources. The conclusion is that the Jakarta – Bandung high-speed railway is not only a transport artery, but also a symbol of new opportunities for Indonesia in the context of global politics and economic ties.