President Yoon Seok-yeol has shifted South Korea’s position from strategic ambiguity to strategic clarity which focuses on solidifying Seoul’s relations with the United States. Obviously, this impacts its relations with China and North Korea.
China
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Cambodia has become a crucial economic and socio-cultural development factor for the nation, though at the cost of expanding China’s influence.
The Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train megaproject has incurred cost overrun after multi-year delays and would multiply the financial burden of the Indonesian government and its people.
The popular Chinese sugary beverage chain Mixue took Indonesia by (winter) storm thanks to its solid business model and understanding of the Indonesian market. While demonstrating China’s soft power, its culinary diplomacy might clash with the government’s campaign.
This article is a stocktake of the developments of Indonesia’s relationship with China in 2022, focusing on security, economic and soft power considerations.