Thinking Back on Indonesia and China's Bilateral Relations

[caption id="attachment_128187" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ilustrasi-Pertemuan Bisnis Indonesia-China/Admin (KOMPAS)"][/caption] This year, we mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Republic of Indonesia and the People's Republic of China (PRC). When relations were initially established, the event had significant meaning for both countries. For Indonesia, the PRC became a partner of a newly emerging power against western colonialism. The bilateral relations ended up being like a fresh injection to Indonesia, who was then one of the leading countries in the third world still struggling to maintain its independence. The ties also symbolised Indonesia's recognition of the PRC as a legal state. Many countries at the time, especially western countries refusing to acknowledge the founding of the PRC which included the United Nations, gave China's chair to Taiwanese Kuomintang. Not until 1971 was the position in the UN restored to the PRC. So, without a doubt, bilateral relations when first established were of great importance to both Indonesia and the PRC. In looking back, relations between Indonesia and China have existed since 131 BC, particularly during the Han Dynasty and Kingdom of Javadvipa in Java. During the era of Tang Dynasty in 7 BC, when the Empire of Sriwijaya became the centre of Buddhism in South East Asia, the relations were still progressing. They reached their peak when the Ming Dynasty dispatched Admiral Cheng Ho with more than 100 boats and about 28,000 personnel to South East Asia, including Indonesia, for trade. The reputation of Cheng Ho and his personnel have been well remembered in many of the minds of our countrymen to this day. Admiral Cheng Ho was also known as an Islamic missionary, called ‘Muhammad Cheng Ho'. This fact too should not be forgotten. On the contrary, such historical ties only demonstrate a cohesiveness that should strengthen and sustain bilateral relations. It's generally noticed present day relations between the two nations have experienced 23 years of stagnation. Since the restoration of the bilateral ties in 1990, the relation of both countries has been growing and developing rapidly. Examples of the many important signs of growth in relations are the MoU of Strategic Partnership and Plan of Action, which are signed by the presidents of both countries in 2005. These documents are the legal frameworks for more intense cooperation in many aspects such as political, economical and socio-cultural. For Indonesia, diplomatic relations with PRC are of certain significance. First, as developing countries that share borders, both require a type of stability that guarantees development. Only by cooperation can they best realize stability in their particular regions. Second, in many aspects, Indonesia relies on Chinese investments, such as its investment in certain infrastructures like the Suramadu Bridge and some power plants. Yet, Indonesia still needs more. Take the fishing industry, for instance. It lacks proper funding, needing both new technology and monetary support. Third, as a country that is still in a period of reformation, Indonesia needs references to reform its political and economical system. Indonesia can't just simply plagiarize another country's political system, but should find the best system to serve the needs of the people. China's experience will be a good reference in this case. Four, Indonesia needs China's international support to exert a greater role as a global player. To be honest, there are some obstacles to overcome when achieving healthier bilateral relations between the two sides. It is my opinion that some of the greatest obstacles to developing stronger ties between nations are the existing attitudes locked in "realism" mindsets, seeing China as a potential threat rather than asset. On the flip side, some Chinese still see Indonesia as an unstable country with a lot of social unrest and political turmoil. Because of such pervasive attitudes, both countries needs to reform itself in its internal affairs and, by doing so, can more easily convince each other develop deepening relations between the two nations. Both sides should realize that the future of bilateral relations is very auspicious. After all, history has given clear evidence of this.