Indonesia-China Relations: The Politics of Reengagement

Abstract

Indonesia’s relations with China, which were resumed in August 1990 after more than two decades of “frozen” relationship, have begun to improve since 1998. By examining three cases—China’s response to the 1997 economic crisis, the May 1998 riots in Indonesia, and the 2004 Tsunami disaster—this chapter argues that recent improvements in bilateral relations have been primarily the function of dramatic changes in Indonesia’s domestic politics. Moreover, China’s changing policy toward Southeast Asia in general and toward the ethnic Chinese issue in particular have also contributed to the creation of an atmosphere of trust and comfort in Jakarta’s reengagement with China. However, the future course of Indonesia-China relations will continue to be subject to the persistence of Indonesia’s domestic ambiguity toward China, emanating from the question of an Indonesian ethnic Chinese minority within Indonesia’s domestic politics and Indonesia’s perceptions of China’s long-term intention and policy in Southeast Asia.