Indonesia has officially launched its ambitious B50 biodiesel plan, raising the blend ratio of palm oil-based biofuel to 50 percent in diesel, a move aimed at boosting national energy self-sufficiency and cutting reliance on imported fuel.
On Thursday, President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the B50 biodiesel policy in Karawang, West Java, making Indonesia the first country globally to fully implement the standard. While many drivers at filling stations voiced support for the plan, concerns remain over potential diesel price hikes.
"It's half plant-based, half petroleum; I think that's great. It's greener. But the most important thing is diesel prices shouldn't rise any further," said Sofian, fellow truck driver.
Indonesia is the world's largest palm oil producer, and since adopting fuel blending policies in 2008 has rolled out B2.5, B30, and B40 standards. Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources suggests palm oil consumption for biodiesel will rise from 15.2 million tons last year to 16.3-17 million tons under B50.
Experts warned the move will drive palm oil prices higher, even beyond Indonesia.
"But I think with this B50, the demand (for palm oil) is just really high, and that increases from 40 percent to 50 percent. In addition, I think with the El Nino coming up, so the heat. Every time there's an El Nino in Indonesia, often the risk of forest fire increases. So that would affect the supply as well. So definitely the prices will go up here, I think internationally, for palm oil," said Dipo Satria Ramli, researcher at Indonesia's Center of Reform on Economics.
Besides higher prices, experts said the B50 rollout brings greater challenges across the supply chain. Noting gaps remain in methanol supply, fuel storage, logistics, and infrastructure in Indonesia, experts said that ongoing investment will be crucial to ensure the plan's continued success.
Indonesia launches world’s first B50 biodiesel plan
The 2026 Qixi Festival Gala, produced by China Media Group (CMG), got underway at 20:00 Beijing Time on Wednesday, marking the annual celebration of one of China's oldest and most cherished traditional festivals.
The Qixi Festival, also referred to as the Chinese Valentine's Day, falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar. It dates back more than 2,000 years and was inscribed on China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.
The festival's enduring romantic association stems from the legends of the cowherd Niulang and the weaver girl Zhinyu, star-crossed lovers separated by the Milky Way who are permitted to meet only once a year when a flock of magpies forms a bridge across the heavens.
In ancient China, young women celebrate the festival by praying to Zhinyu for clever hands and domestic talents. Today, couples usually spend the day by exchanging gifts and many partners choose this auspicious date to register their marriages or hold collective traditional weddings.
This year's gala centered on the motif of a bridge, linking ancient myth with contemporary life.
A travelogue performance themed around the mythological bridge ran through the entire event, which featured songs, dances, traditional operas and ballet.
A highlight of the gala was a micro-film which explores shared Qixi customs between people from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
Among the evening's touching highlights was a short film featuring the enduring romance of 88-year-old Chinese radar technology expert Ben De, recipient of China's 2026 State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, and his wife. The award is the nation's highest honor for scientific and technological achievement.
This year's gala centered on co-creation, featuring segments with real couples from across the country to jointly celebrate the millennia-old traditions through contemporary expressions of love.
CMG airs special TV gala to celebrate China's 2,000-year-old love festival
