For Indonesian kung fu book fans, the name of Kho Ping Hoo or Sukawati Asmaraman is very familiar. Hoo is an Indonesian prolific and legendary writer of Chinese origin. Inspired by Chinese kung fu books, Hoo made a significant contribution to Indonesian daily literature. Hoo’s kung fu stories original, distinctive, imaginative and load the big ideas with China background which is presented with a very alluring.

In his works, even he never visited China before, Hoo managed to tell the readers about the beauty of the scenic landscapes in the mountains and surrounding Thaysan with enough detail (now located in Shandong Province). Hoo also tells many fictional characters who live in the world of martial turbulent times between the kingdoms in China at that time, both groups of black characters (antagonist) and the white group (protagonist). The characters are displayed well and gave a lot of inspiration to the readers and fans.

Against this backdrop, Hoo’s books could become an interesting instrument for Indonesia to more understanding China. On the contrary, the publication one of Hoo’s book in Chinese version entitled “Suling Emas” or “Golden Flute” could also bring opportunities to reach Chinese Communities especially to those who are still not familiar yet with Indonesia.

Indeed, it is not always easy to use books as an instrument in enhancing people to people contact since it is often wildly unpredictable and risky proposition. For example, the books that have garnered the most attention in Indonesia, when it comes to China there are possibilities that the book will accept flat.

But as mentioned by a Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, the efforts to strengthen people to people contact among Indonesian and Chinese will never have success if we never try it and just rely on formal approaches through various meetings in multilateral and bilateral forums as well as formal talks between the government officials. We should start to use informal approach by using among other Hoo’s book as one instrument.