Celebrating 77th Independence Day Of Indonesia: As Many As 100 Indonesians In China Cycling 77 Km Around Beijing

A number of Indonesian citizens took a leisurely bicycle ride for 77 kilometers held by the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, China, Saturday (6/8/2022) to commemorate the 77th Indonesian Independence Day. (Antara/M. Irfan Ilmie)

JAKARTA - At least 100 Indonesian citizens are cycling leisurely around the city of Beijing, China, as far as 77 kilometers to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia's Independence.

"The 77 kilometers distance that we have traveled is in accordance with the age of our country which has reached 77 years," said Chairman of the Committee for the 77th Anniversary of the Indonesian Independence Celebration in Beijing, Raden Fitri Saptaji, Sunday.

The cycling activity was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing.

The start and finish of the leisurely bicycle were at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing in Dongzhimen Wai Dajie No. 4, Chaoyang District, on Saturday (6/8).

Then the participants wearing blood-red T-shirts with the words "77 Recover Faster, Rise Stronger" on their backs headed for Beijing City's 4th ring road across several districts, namely Chaoyang, Haidian, Shijingshan, Fengtai, and back again to Chaoyang.

During the event, the entire area of Beijing was covered with clouds, but it didn't rain until all participants led by the Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun entered the finish line at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing.

The casual cyclists immediately ate "Ongklo noodles", typical food from Wonosobo, Central Java, complete with a variety of fried snacks, after a "joy ride" around the Chinese capital region which took more than four hours.

"Incidentally, the COVID-19 situation in Beijing has subsided somewhat so that we can organize this activity freely," said Fitri, who also serves as the Immigration Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing.

In addition to relaxing bicycles around the capital, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing also held badminton and table tennis matches in a series of commemorations of the 77th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence.

Even without an escort from local security officers, leisurely cycling activities on Beijing's highways took place safely and smoothly.