|
The article explores opportunities and challenges for Indonesia and ASEAN stemming from the rise of China based on the following approaches: (1) Indonesia neighbors china, therefore, China's growing economic and political clouts have significant influence to Indonesia; (2) Indonesia and China experienced difficult relation in their history, but successfully turned it into a strategic partnership; (3) The rise of China also has influence to ASEAN, which claims itself to be the driving force of the regional agenda and dynamics; (4) ASEAN is a vehicle for Indonesia's policies in the region, including in engaging China. Following the line of approaches above, this article first describes the rise of China. It will explore China's foreign policies in the region as well as the magnitude of its economic potentials. Afterwords, it it will describe the development of Indonesia-China bilateral relations and take a closer look at the Joint Declaration of Indonesia-China Strategic Partnership. This article also tries to see in particular to what extend Indonesia-China economic relations deliver benefits to Indonesians. Lastly, it will explore the dynamics of ASEAN-China relations, especially Indonesia's interests in ASEAN vis a vis China. |
