INDONESIA AND CHINA 65 YEARS

23 YEARS SUSPENDED!WHAT NEXT?

Benito Lopulalan

240 Million Population

723 languages

17.508 Islands6.000 inhabited

INDONESIA

ASEAN G20 APEC

1945Proclamation of

Indonesia Independence

April 1950Begin of RI – PRC

Diplomatic Relations

1950 – 1965 Indonesia – PRC The Beginning CharacteristicsInfluenced by Composition of Indonesia domestic politic : Nationalist, Religious, Communist

China become issue• PRC - PKI connection• Negative views towards

Overseas Chinese in Indonesia

Violence erupted, also to Chinese society

1960Jakarta – Beijing axis established

Leadership managed the

balance of power

1965-1998 The New Order and PRC Suspicions and Sensitivity

• Indonesia Leaders maintained anti-communist attitude and PRC seen as “communism exporter”

• No Chinese performance, no Chinese character in public space, Chinese names should changed into “Indonesian” names.

• Trade relations play important role in determining relationship after 1990.

1967 - 1985Total Frozen

1985Indonesia – PRC

Trade Relations Restored

1990Restoration of

Diplomatic ties

1991 to 1998 RI non-oil exp. to

China 580 mil to 1.32 bil

USDRI imp. from

China 800 mil to 1.27

bill USD

Remains of PKI

PRC Communism expansion

Ethnic Chinese

(TRIANGLE OF PREJUDICE)

“triangle of threat”

A Triangle that Colored RI-PRC for 30 years

Silk Road Spirit -

1998 and the birth of Changes

the era of reformasi

The nationwide riots and anti-Chinesefollowed national and global economic crises

lead to changes

• Abdurrahman Wahid presidency lifted regulation that prohibit Chinese performance and culture.

• Beijing was the first city he visited after inauguration, albeit domestic pro-cons. Any President after him went to Beijing without pro-cons.

• Kwik Kian Gie became Coordinating Minister of Economy. The first Chinese-Indonesian after 35 years. Each president after him has at least one Chinese-Indonesian at the cabinet.

Abdurrahman Wahid (1947-2004) RI president 1999-2001. A game changer in Chinese relations.

THE DOMESTIC CHANGE

• The peace / democratic mentality and movements among Indonesians

• Pluralistic leadership• Ability to change• Proactive and Courageous

Individual leaders • Information Technology

INDONESIA CHINA

ASEAN

DOOR

Country Country

OROB

DOOR

It is a road where Government open the doors to other Government; Business build bridges to work together with other Business; Culture To Culture; People To People; Youth to Youth; where peace and friendship built the future.

A ROAD WITH MANY BRIDGES AND DOORS

THANK YOU

Terima Kasih