Representatives from China and Indonesia sign a 5.5-billion-U.S. dollar deal for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project on October 16, 2015. [Photo: Xinhua]

Construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway is scheduled to start on Thursday.

The Indonesian high-speed railway project will be built by Chinese companies.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei says the project can help strengthen collaboration between China and Indonesia.

"The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway is the very first project of its kind in Indonesia. It will help improve infrastructure and upgrade its inter-connectivity in the country. The cooperation will also boost the development of the two countries' strategic partnership."

China and Indonesia inked the deal for the 5.5-billion-U.S. dollar project in October last year.

The project is expected to be completed in three years.