JAKARTA (VOA) —
Indonesia has also felt the strength of the struggle between the two superpowers to expand their influence in the world. Examining this in more depth, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) conducted a survey “Perceptions of Indonesian Elites Regarding China-US Rivalry in the Indo Pacific.” The research, which was conducted from September 2022 to July 2023, involved government officials and academics as respondents.
The government people in question are echelon I officials and ambassadors who are responsible for formulating policies regarding Indo-Pacific issues. They come from ten ministries and institutions. Meanwhile, academic respondents are lecturers in International Relations from various universities.
Researcher at the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Emilia Yustiningrum explained that respondents had a balanced opinion regarding the US-China struggle over Indonesia. However, in matters of economics and defense and security, respondents had different opinions.
In terms of defense and security, the US has more influence on Indonesia than China. On the other hand, in economic matters, China has more influence on Indonesia than the US. Even though total trade between Indonesia and the US currently reaches $47.5 billion.
China’s influence is related to high-speed train projects, nickel mining and processing, and the construction of a new capital city and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“Academics and ministries are quite aware that closeness to China is something that is not seen as an achievement but something that must be watched out for. We know that it is a loan. We know that there are concessions, but what about the current and future governments? “We must remain careful in understanding what has been done with China,” said Emilia.
Even though there is competition between the US and China, cooperation with both of them is still considered beneficial for Indonesia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Joko Widodo shake hands on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. (Photo: via Reuters)
The survey also showed that respondents agreed that the US-China rivalry made it easier for Indonesia to establish strategic partnerships with large countries, in the context of cooperation, without having to become a member of an alliance with either party.
They also agree with ASEAN that the Indo Pacific is still needed to face US-China rivalry.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Indonesia must maintain its position so as not to be drawn into one side
In the discussion, Head of the Center for Asia Pacific and Africa Policy Strategy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela, said that the dynamics of rivalry between the US and China in the region meant that Indonesia had to maintain its position so as not to be drawn into one of the parties. Indonesia, he added, has good relations with the US and China.
The Indo Pacific is a strategic region because there are countries that have large military powers, not all of which are stable. Mulachela refers to the Taiwan conflict involving the US and China, and the conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
Acceptance of the Indo-Pacific Regional Concept
Meanwhile, Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad, lecturer at the Department of International Relations, FISIP UI, said that one of the interesting things from the BRIN survey results was the acceptance of the concept of the Indo-Pacific region, something that is still contested by the actors.
He said China rejected the Indo-Pacific concept because it saw this as an attempt to contain China’s influence in the region. Indonesia uses Indo-Pacific terminology but with relatively different substance compared to the US.
The US says the Indo-Pacific is a free and open region, and that the US and Japan have different geographic boundaries. The US version of the Indo-Pacific is from the US to India, and is highly militaristic. Meanwhile, the Japanese version of the Indo-Pacific concept is everything that connects Asia and Africa,
“Then the second interesting thing is that China is considered more influential in the economic aspect. Meanwhile, in the security aspect, the influence of the United States and China is considered relatively balanced, although the United States is slightly more influential,” said Shofwan.
Although the competition between the US and China is worrying, he continued, the results of the BRIN survey show that the rivalry between the two countries is considered something that is beneficial for Indonesia’s interests. ASEAN’s version of the Indo Pacific concept is an inclusive, stable and peaceful region. (fw/em)