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

Author's name:Tran Thu Minh

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

Field of study of the dissertation: Oriental studies

Major: Chinese Studies Code: 62 31 06 02

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

Research objectives:This thesis analyzes and clarifies the transformation in China-Indonesia relations from 2005 to the present and the factors leading to this transformation. Based on this, it clarifies the nature and impact of China-Indonesia relations since 2005.

Research subjects:Changes in China-Indonesia relations.

2. Research methods used

Methoddocuments: Analytical and synthetic methods, statistical methods, comparative methods;

MethodExpert interviews;

Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research methods:The dissertation flexibly applies methods such as history, political science, etc.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- 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 find the causes of this transformation.

- This dissertation analyzes the current state of China-Indonesia relations in the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural fields over the periods: from 2005-2013, from 2013 to the present, comparing it with the period before 2005, assessing the level of bilateral relations based on the criteria in the strategic partnership scale of scholar Gajauskai (2013), thereby evaluating the changes in relations between the two countries, answering the questions: In what areas have the changes occurred? In what direction have the changes occurred? Is the nature of each change gradual or sudden?

- Based on the factors leading to the transformation in China-Indonesia relations in each period, the thesis applies the Theory of Asymmetry and the Theory of Middle Powers to analyze and identify China's policy towards Indonesia and Indonesia's policy towards China, approaching the relationship between the two countries as a relationship between a major power and a middle power. Based on the framework of "hedging" policies of smaller countries proposed by scholar Kuik (2008), the thesis compares Indonesia's China policy with the policies of several other countries in the region and identifies the distinctive features of Indonesia's policy in dealing with China.

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

3.2. Conclusion

Following the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2005, China-Indonesia relations have seen significant development, particularly in the economic sector. However, cooperation in the political and security fields remains modest, with bilateral cooperation agreements often signed in specific contexts, when both countries require each other's support on regional issues. Bilateral cooperation in socio-cultural fields has also not yielded significant achievements.

- Entering the second decade of the 21st century, in a new context, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013. From 2013 to the present, bilateral relations have made significant progress, both in the political and economic fields, due to the complementary aspects of each country's development strategy. However, this strategic partnership is not yet truly sustainable, as many issues remain unresolved, such as the trade deficit, maritime security issues, and the issue of Chinese labor in Indonesia...

- The development of China-Indonesia relations contributes to promoting China-ASEAN relations, encouraging the development of a China-led economic integration trend in the region, and increasing the involvement of major powers in Southeast Asia. Studying China-Indonesia relations is crucial for understanding China's strategy of increasing influence in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, understanding how Indonesia responds to China's growing influence in the region provides Vietnam with models of China's "strategic partnership" model, the response of weaker nations, and the balancing of major powers' influence, helping Vietnam develop a skillful yet firm approach in its relations with this giant neighbor.

                                                              SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name:Tran Thu Minh

Thesis title: The Evolutions of Sino-Indonesia Relations after 2005

Scientific branch of the thesis: Oriental Studies

Major: Chinese Studies Code: 62 31 06 02

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University.

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

Thesis purpose: The thesis analyzes and clarifies the evolutions/ changes of Sino-Indonesia relations from 2005 and the factors leading to the changes. On that basis, clarifying the nature and impact of Sino-Indonesia relations after 2005.

Thesis objectives: the evolutions/ changes in Sino-Indonesia relations.

2. Research methods

Document research methods, such as: analysis, synthesis, statistical, comparative methods;

Experts interview method;

Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research methods: The thesis applies methods such as historical methods, political science methods…

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1. The major results

- The thesis has identified two milestones in Sino-Indonesia relations after 2005: firstly, changes after the establishment of Strategic Partnership of the two countries in 2005; secondly, changes after the two countries upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2013. In order to discover the causes which led to changes in the relationship, the thesis analyzed based on factors such as Trends, Great Events, and Great Achievements.

- The thesis analyzes and compares the current situation of Sino-Indonesia relations in the fields of politics - security, economy, socio-culture between two periods: 2005-2013 and 2013-present. By assessing the level of bilateral relations based on the criteria of strategic partnerships in Gajauskai's research (2013), the thesis has assessed the changes in bilateral relations, answer below questions: Which fields have changes taken place in? What is the trend of the changes? Is the nature of each change incremental or disruptive?

- The thesis applied Asymmetry Theory and the Theory of Midrange Powers, analyzed to identify China's policies toward Indonesia and Indonesia's policies toward China from a perspective of a relationship between a Great Power and a Middle Power. Based on the measurement framework of the “hedging” policy of smaller countries proposed by Kuik (2008), the thesis compares Indonesia's policies toward China with some other countries' policies toward China, to find out the characteristics of Indonesia's policy in dealing with China.

- The thesis has assessed the impacts of changes in Sino-Indonesia relations on the two countries themselves, on other countries in the region, and on Vietnam.

3.2.Revisions

- After establishing Strategic Partnership in 2005, Sino-Indonesia relations have evolved in comparison with previous period, especially in the economic field. However, in the field of politics - security, cooperation is still modest, the signing of bilateral cooperation documents often takes place in a specific context, when the two countries need the support of the other in regional issues. Bilateral cooperation in the field of socio-culture has not achieved significant achievements either.

- In the new context of the 21st century, the two countries have upgraded their relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partner in 2013. From then on, the relationship between the two countries has made significant progress in both political and economic fields. However, this Strategic Partnership is not really sustainable, due to many unresolved issues, such as trade labor deficit, maritime security, or Chinese issues in Indonesia...

- The evolutions of Sino-Indonesia relations contribute to the promotion of China-ASEAN relations, encourage the development of a China-led economic integration trend in the region, and increases the intervention of major countries in Southeast Asia. Researching Sino- Indonesia relations is important in understanding the strategy of increasing Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. Besides, exploring how Indonesia responds to China's strategy in the region may provide Vietnam a model of China-style “Strategic Partnership”, a case of smaller countries' responses to a rising China...