TTLA: Changes in China-Indonesia Relations from 2005 to the Present

1. Full name of the doctoral candidate:TRAN THU MINH2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: August 7, 1987 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision No. 4618/2016/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2016, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the doctoral student.

6. Changes in the training process:

Decision No. 4010/QD-XHNV, dated October 18, 2019, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Regarding the adjustment of the doctoral dissertation topic of the graduate student, specifically, changing the dissertation title from "Changes in China-Indonesia Relations from the Post-Cold War to the Present" to "Changes in China-Indonesia Relations from 2005 to the Present".

7. Thesis title:Changes in China-Indonesia relations from 2005 to the present.

8. Major:Chinese Studies9. Code:62 31 06 02

10. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Thi Hue

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Van Huy

11. Summarize thenew resultsof the thesis:

      First,This is the first study in Vietnam to systematically and comprehensively research the changes in China-Indonesia relations from 2005 to the present. Therefore, the thesis has developed an analytical framework for studying the changes in bilateral relations.

Monday,The thesis identified two turning points in China-Indonesia relations since 2005: firstly, the transformation after the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2005; and secondly, the transformation after the two countries upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013. The thesis analyzed factors such as trends, major events, and significant achievements to identify the causes of this transformation.

       Tuesday,The thesis identified and assessed the level of bilateral relations between China and Indonesia based on the criteria in the strategic partnership scale of scholar Gajauskai (2013), thereby evaluating the transformation in the relationship between the two countries, answering the questions: In what areas has the transformation occurred? In what direction has the transformation occurred? Is the nature of each transformation gradual or sudden? Based on this, the thesis clarifies the characteristics of the strategic partnership within the overall strategy of increasing China's influence.

       Wednesday,This thesis applies the Theory of Asymmetry and the Theory of Middle Powers to clarify the characteristics of the asymmetrical relationship between China and Indonesia, and to identify the distinctive features of the policies of these two countries in their bilateral relations.

Final,This thesis assesses the impact of changes in China-Indonesia relations on the two countries themselves, on other countries in the region, and on Vietnam.

12. Practical applications:

The first,The research findings of this thesis provide scientific arguments for the process of formulating Vietnam's foreign policy in its asymmetrical relationship with China.

      Monday,The research findings will be systematized into a teaching module on China's foreign policy in the modern era, particularly a specialized module on China-ASEAN relations, to serve research and teaching in the fields of International Relations, Oriental Studies, and World History.

13. Future research directions:

      The first,Continue research focusing on China-Indonesia relations in specific areas and their impact on Vietnam;

Monday,Expanding the scope of research around China-ASEAN relations aims to gain a clearer understanding of China's relationship with its neighbors.

14. Published works related to the dissertation:

1. Tran Thu Minh (2016), “Developments in the China-Indonesia Strategic Partnership from 2005 to the present”,Chinese Studies2 (174), pp.29-38.
2. Tran Thu Minh (2016), “Indonesia’s Perspective on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative”,Foreign Events and Personalities10 (276), pp. 64-69.
3. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “Differentiation in the perception of China among Indonesian elites”,Foreign Events and Personalities3 (291), pp. 46-51.
4. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “The practical implementation of the “Belt and Road” Strategy in Indonesia”,World Economic and Political Issues4 (264), pp. 3-13.
5. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “The issue of Chinese labor in Indonesia in the context of the 'Belt and Road' Strategy”,Foreign Events and Personalities6 (294), pp. 66-71.
6. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “US-Indonesia relations under President D. Trump”,Foreign Events and Personalities7 (295), pp. 50-56.
7. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “China-Indonesia Economic Relations from 2005 to the Present”,Chinese Studies10 (206), pp.27-36.
8. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “China-Indonesia Strategic Partnership: Current Situation and Issues to be Raised”,International Studies4 (115), pp.139-159.
9. Tran Thu Minh (2019), “China’s Partnership Diplomacy Since the Reform and Opening-Up”, Proceedings of the International Conference"40 Years of China's Reform and Opening Up: A Retrospective and Prospects", Institute of Chinese Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi.
10. Tran Thu Minh (2019), “The revival of Chinese culture in the Chinese community in Indonesia after the New Order period”,Southeast Asian Studies8 (233), pp. 73-81.
11. Tran Thu Minh (2019), “Indonesia’s foreign policy toward China during the presidency of Joko Widodo”,World Economic and Political Issues10 (282), pp. 42-50.

                                                            INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name:TRAN THU MINH2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: 07 Aug 1987 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 4618/ 2016/QD-XHNV Date: December 29, 2016

6. Changes in academic process:

Adjusted the doctoral thesis title from “The Changes of Sino-Indonesia Relations since the Cold War” to “The Changes of Sino-Indonesia Relations after 2005”, Decision number: 4010/QD-XHNV, Date: 18 October 2019

7. Official thesis title:

The Changes of Sino-Indonesia Relations after 2005

8. Major: Chinese Studies 9. Code:62 31 06 02

10. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Phung Thi Hue

Assoc. Prof. Duong Van Huy

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

Firstly, this is the first systematic and comprehensive research in Vietnam about changes in Sino-Indonesia relations since 2005, so the thesis has built an analytical framework for the researchs about changes in bilateral relations.

Secondly, the thesis has identified two milestones in Sino-Indonesia relations since 2005: (i) changes after establishing Strategic Partnership in 2005; (ii) changes after upgrading to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2013. The thesis analyzed based on factors such as Trends, Great Events and Great Achievements, to find the causes of the changes in Sino-Indonesia relations.

Thirdly, the thesis has identified and evaluated the level of Sino-Indonesia relations based on the criteria in Gajauskai's research (2013), evaluating changes in Sino-Indonesia relations, and answering the following questions: In which fields have the changes affected? What is the trend of changes? Did each change occur gradually or instantly? On that basis, the thesis clarifies the characteristics of strategic partnerships in the overall strategy of increasing influence of China.

Fourthly, the thesis applies the Asymmetry Theory and the theory of Middle powers, clarifying the characteristics of asymmetric relations between China and Indonesia, identifying the characteristics of the two countries' policies in the bilateral relations.

Finally, the thesis evaluates the impact of changes in Sino-Indonesia relations on the two countries themselves, on other countries in the region, and on Vietnam.

12. Practical applicability:

Firstly, the thesis's research findings provide scientific evidences for Vietnam's diplomatic policy making process in handling asymmetric relations with China;

Secondly, the research results can be systematized to become a part of Contemporary Chinese foreign affairs subject, especially in topics of China-ASEAN relations. It will be a reference for researchers and teachers who work in the fields of International Relations, Oriental Studies and World History.

13. Further research directions:

Firstly, continue researching topics related to Sino-Indonesia relations on specific fields and their impacts on Vietnam;

Secondly, expand the scope of research to China-ASEAN relations, in order to accurately identify the relations between China and neighboring countries;

14. Thesis-related publications:

1. Tran Thu Minh (2016), “The Changes in Sino-Indonesia Strategic Partnership Relations after 2005”,Chinese Studies2 (174), pp.29-37.
2. Tran Thu Minh (2016), “Indonesia's response to the 21st Century Silk Road Initiative”,Foreign Events & Characters10 (276), pp.64-69.
3. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “Divergence in the Indonesian Elite's Perception of China,Foreign Events & Characters3 (291), pp.46-51.
4. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “Practical implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Indonesia”,World Economic and Political Issues4 (264), pp.3-13.
5. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “Chinese labor issues in Indonesia in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative”,Foreign Events and Characters6 (294), pp.66-71.
6. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “US-Indonesia Relations under D.Trump”,Foreign Events and Characters7 (295), pp.50-56.
7. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “Sino-Indonesia Economic Relations since 2005”,Chinese Studies10 (206), pp.27-36.
8. Tran Thu Minh (2018), “Sino-Indonesia Strategic Partnership: Situation and problems”,International Studies4 (115), pp.139-159.
9. Tran Thu Minh (2019), “China's Partnership Diplomacy since Reforms”, Proceedings of the International Conference"40 Years of China's Reforms: Looking Back and Prospects", Institute of Chinese Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi.
10. Tran Thu Minh (2019), “The Rehabilitation of Chinese Culture in the Chinese Community in Indonesia after the New Order",Southeast Asia Studies8 (233), pp.73-81.
11. Tran Thu Minh (2019), “"Indonesia's foreign policy towards China under Joko Widodo",World Economic and Political Issues10 (282), pp.42-50.