Greater convergence of strategic interests between Indonesia and China

Editor's note: Muhammad Habib and Pieter Pandie, special commentators for CGTN, are researchers at the Department of International Relations, Center for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

This week marked another milestone in Indonesia-China diplomatic relations as China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, finished a two-day visit to Indonesia. This visit took place shortly after Indonesia's incumbent Defense Minister and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. While the sequence may be coincidental, what appears to be deliberate is the message the two countries want to convey: greater strategic convergence. This article examines three areas in which a degree of convergence seems apparent.

The first area is regional stability. Considering the increasing tensions across the Asia-Pacific region, an open communication channel between two significant regional parties, such as Indonesia and China, is a recipe for maintaining bilateral stability.

Through this visit, China re-affirms Indonesia's indispensable role in the regional order while indicating its continuing eagerness to preserve the habit of dialogue among its partners. Likewise, Indonesia views the visit as a chance to express any interest and concerns through the High-Level Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism. Indonesia values how Wang Yi's visit has still taken place, regardless of other globally pressing issues. Not many partners can afford to exercise such a commitment.

This leads to the second area of greater strategic convergence between Jakarta and Beijing: economic relations. In his meeting with Wang Yi, President Joko Widodo highlighted his desire for greater access to the Chinese market and greater knowledge sharing on Chinese agricultural practices.

The Widodo administration views China as a promising partner in technological advancement after the launch of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train service. More than two million Indonesians have tried the train since its inception, enjoying more options for their homecoming trips during the Eid season. As such, it may not be surprising that the administration raised the request for China to extend the train service to Surabaya and build a transportation system in Indonesia's new capital city.

Although it is not explicitly highlighted, the visit confirms the commitment of both sides to an open economy. Indonesia remains hesitant to participate in any global campaign to completely decouple from China, as policymakers find no pressing rationales to do so. Indonesia would keep its enormous market open to products made in China and its abundant raw materials accessible to more industries in China. In the same vein, Wang Yi's presence assures that Beijing will continue to smoothen trade and investment flows between the two countries.

The last, but most recent area of strategic convergence is regarding the situation in the Middle East, which has seen Iran and Israel go tit-for-tat in missile and drone attacks on each other's military sites. China and Indonesia have pledged their support for the two-state solution and full Palestinian membership into the UN, and said that neither party wishes to see escalation to the point of open conflict in the region. 

Notably, President Widodo expressed his "confidence that Beijing would use its influence so that escalation could be prevented." This statement comes against the backdrop of America's receding influence in the Muslim world, the broader Global South and more involvements of China, as seen in China's increasing economic and diplomatic footprints in the region's major players. President Widodo's statement may also be interpreted as Indonesia's dissatisfaction with how the U.S. has handled the situation in the Middle East, with the extent of damage and suffering caused in Gaza, while Israel has seemingly faced little or no repercussions.

All in all, there is no doubt that the trajectory of China-Indonesia relations will remain positive in the future. Beijing does not need to be wary of dramatic changes in Jakarta. The incoming administration has clearly signaled their willingness to maintain China-Indonesia relations. Our energy should be focused on anticipating rising demands of greater responsibility at the global level. The current Middle East crisis will not be the last case that calls for more constructive responses from the two emerging powers. As the climate crisis gets worse and the demand for technological advancement gets stronger, Indonesia and China may need to assist friends in the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Caribbeans, and South America.

This century must not become a century of minilateralism. It has to remain a century of multilateralism anchored in international law and diplomacy. Life is too short for all minds and actions to be channeled into unhealthy suspicions towards each other. Time will show how the challenges of this century will require greater strategic convergence between Indonesia and China and across all countries worldwide.

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