Photo: Courtesy of huanqiu.com

By Wu Ningning

The largest archipelago country in the world, Indonesia celebrated its 65th Independence Day on August 17. To mark the occasion, the Chinese Global Times website, huanqiu.com sat down with the Ambassador of Indonesia to China His Excellency Imron Cotan to get an inside look at the special relationship Indonesia and China share now and to look to the future the two countries will share.

How does Indonesia evaluate the rise of China economically and politically?

We are glad that China is progressing not only politically, but economically as well. Taking advantage of the progress, Indonesia hopes that with the tremendous national resources China has and with its fast economic growth, we will be able to tap into the potentials of China to help Indonesia progress economically.

Currently the Indonesian government wants to increase the relationship in trade, tourism and investment. I think by encouraging our relationship on these three counts we will be even closer. 

Meanwhile, Indonesia is the biggest economy in our region that China could benefit from. That's why there are so many Chinese products in our market. Our market is also booming. That's why I think taking into account the potential that the two countries have, we need to cooperate to increase the welfare of the two peoples and contribute to safeguarding the prosperity and security of the region.

How does Indonesia see the assertive steps the US took in the South China Sea recently, including joint Vietnamese-US training exercises?

As regards the involvement of the US in the region, the ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit recently organized by Vietnam, the current ASEAN chair, has agreed to accept the participation of the US and Russia in our forum. As a matter of fact, as long as the participation of those outsiders, US or others, is to our benefit, their participation is certainly welcome.

It is only normal in our interactions with outside powers that there will be a kind of misunderstanding, misapprehension, but I think whatever the problem is, we may resolve the problems in a peaceful manner through the negotiation table. I would like to underline a point that negotiation among interested parties in the region is a key to our survival in the future.

What do you mean "interested parties in the region?"

Certainly, if you are talking about the South China Sea, each ASEAN country is interested in it, although China has overlapping territorial claims with at least five countries in the region. But again, since the conflict or potential conflict has impact on ASEAN countries, I think ASEAN countries are interested in it. Certainly, I can't speak on behalf of the US, but the rising interests of the US in this issue is also being closely monitored by Indonesia. But one thing for sure, Indonesia would like to see that the solution of this conflict should be through peaceful means.

Does Indonesia think the issue of the South China Sea is only related to South-East Asian countries rather than the US?

We in ASEAN think this issue should be resolved by China and ASEAN countries. Again, I can't speak on behalf of the US. If the US sees this as an issue for them to take on, it's really up to them. But for us, this is a matter that should be resolved by China and ASEAN countries.

There were anti-Chinese riots in May 1998 in Indonesia. What measures has Indonesia put in place to prevent any recurrence of the disturbances?

Indonesia consists of more than 350 ethnicities and tribes including Indonesians of Chinese descent. They are all Indonesians. On one or two occasions, not only Indonesians of Chinese descent, but all Indonesians suffered from dramatic changes in our history. We regret that some people suffered in these events. But now the government of Indonesia has taken stern measures to treat all Indonesians equally before the law. I'd like to underline the fact that since we have taken this action, regardless of ethnic background, they can now progress into the future without any hindrance. This is the progress we have achieved during Indonesia's democratization process.

How does the Indonesian government protect the Chinese-Indonesian nowadays? Was there any compensation process, and how was any legislation enacted?

Again I wish to underline the point that currently Indonesia applies the laws of Indonesia to all Indonesians including Indonesians of Chinese descent; they are all Indonesians regardless of ethnic background.

As far as the 1998 riot, some assailants were brought to justice and they served that term. So far I haven't heard about compensation claims, but if there are any, the Indonesian government would do whatever is necessary to meet the claim.

What's life like for Chinese-Indonesian people?

After the democratization process in Indonesia, each Indonesian can express himself or herself freely. If you go to Jakarta or any part of Indonesia, you'll see a lot of Chinese festivities conducted by Indonesians of Indonesian or Chinese descent, such as lion dancing, widely practiced throughout the archipelago. Currently we have schools teaching Putonghua. People are free to give their babies Chinese or Western names. We have committed ourselves to reforming our political system to allow every Indonesian to express themselves freely in Indonesia.

What measures does Indonesia take to enhance safe navigation in the Straits of Malacca?

According to The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Indonesia is a littoral state of the Malacca Straits. Our responsibility is to protect and to safeguard the flow of transportation. And we have to admit on one or two occasions there were acts of piracy committed by irresponsible elements, but currently we are cooperating with all countries including the US and certainly China. It is now positively and absolutely safe to navigate through the Malacca Straits. We hope that by applying stringent measures, there would be no piracy again.

Is it safe to tour around Indonesia? Which is the best season for tourism?

In general the security in Indonesia is good if not excellent. I can assure Chinese tourists our police and our government has recently been able to rule out the terrorist element. Indonesia has two seasons: rainy and dry, so I would advise you to come in the dry season. Maybe from March to September, I think that's the best.

I'd advise Chinese tourists to see the Sam Po Kong Temple (Gedung Batu Temple in Semarang, central Java) commemorating Admiral Zheng He's journey in the 15th century. It's very unique because it accommodates followers of Confucianism, Islam and other religions. I think a harmonious relationship between followers of different religions will serve unity.

How can Chinese companies invest effectively in Indonesia?

We are currently trying to encourage investors from China to invest their resources in infrastructure projects, very promising as well as good returns. The government guarantees all the infrastructure projects and the return of the investments is far higher than other sectors. Let me use this opportunity to invite all potential investors from China to invest in our infrastructure; projects which are promising and encouraging.