President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and his Chinese counterpart. Looking good together, many people have a different opinion about the intimacy between Indonesia and China. (Image via CNN Indonesia)

Indonesia and China: A demure relationship between two nations

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
Politics
Oct 18, 2019
1995
Under the current reign of President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, generally known as Jokowi, bilateral relations between Indonesia and China grow tighter than ever. While many experts are concerned about Indonesia falling into China’s debt trap, Indonesia received a lot of economic expansion from China in terms of investment, trading, and tourism.

The experts pointed out that in 2013, China and Indonesia stepped up their partnership level to comprehensive strategic. Implementing the agreement, Indonesia and China are like two peas in the pod.

During the reign of the previous President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, it was noted in 2005 that investment from China was only US$8.7 billion. However, it is noted in Jokowi’s reign that by 2015, the investment swelled to US$48.2 billion.

Currently, China has replaced Japan as no. 1 trading partner in Indonesia. It is shown by China’s involvement in Jakarta – Bandung bullet train project. The Middle Kingdom rose as the third-largest foreign investor in Indonesia, only bested by Singapore and Japan.

Not only in economics but China also grows closer to Indonesia in governance. On 20 October, Jokowi will be inaugurated for his second term as the President of Indonesia once more after winning the 2019 Presidential Election. China, showing its love to Indonesia, will send its vice president, Wang Qishan, for the inauguration ceremony.

However, the concern over the intimacy between Indonesia and China is not only about the debt trap alone. It is concerned that it would tarnish Jokowi’s reputation due to political sentiments against the Chinese. The experts warn Jokowi to carefully establish the image between Indonesia and China.

While the bilateral trading rate keeps going up, Indonesia’s import from China is more than its export. Therefore, some experts are concerned that Chinese expansion to Indonesia will only stunt Indonesia’s local product development and job opportunity for the Indonesians. In 2017, a hoax about 10 million Chinese workers entering Indonesia shook the nation.

As if being caught between the devil and the deep sea, some experts then stated their concerns that Indonesia becomes too silent about China. Regarding China’s inquisition over the Sea of South China where it has covered almost 90% of the waters, Jokowi could not comment much. The experts saw it as “safe play” by the Indonesian government not to offend the Chinese.

Regarding the intimacy between the two countries, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that people should not see that as a taboo, reminding that Indonesia is not only close to China alone, but the world as equal.

Indonesia also implements an independent and active foreign policy. In other words, adhering to this policy, Indonesia’s politics cannot be intervened by other outer nations, nor shall it be bound by any military pacts.

Source: https://bit.ly/2P0nQNg

Politics , Economics , Trading , Investment , ASEAN , Indonesia , Asia , China , Sentiment