Report: Indonesia Is Caving to China

“Indonesia has effectively abandoned the South China Sea,” the Jakarta Post reported on February 8.

Why it matters: Indonesia used to stand up to China’s claims over the vast sea, which includes large areas that are in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone. But recent events have shown Jakarta is now caving to Beijing.

Full story: Indonesia is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (asean). Until recently, it stood unified with the group against China. The change began during the tenure of former President Joko Widodo.

Under former Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesia’s stance included a “seize and sink” policy against foreign vessels entering Indonesian waters and the renaming of part of the South China Sea to the North Natuna Sea, a term that asserts Indonesia’s control.

But Indonesia moved from combating China to cooperating with it after Pudjiastuti was removed in 2019.

• Widodo stressed that Indonesia had no territorial disputes with China.
• Indonesian exports to China increased almost 35 percent in the first half of 2022.

Indonesia’s capitulation to China has become clearer under current President Prabowo Subianto.

A joint statement between China and Indonesia in November allows asean states to have their own South China Sea policies, as opposed to taking a unified stand. This weakens opposition against China, especially from nations like the Philippines that need help to maintain their stance against China’s unlawful claims over their maritime territory.

Unless Indonesia reassesses its approach, asean’s role in the South China Sea will continue to diminish, leaving room for external powers to exert greater influence in the region.
—Jakarta Post

Prophesied capitulation: The Bible prophesies that China will play a leading role in a massive Asian alliance. Based on this prophecy, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has drawn attention to China’s intimidation of Southeast Asian nations regarding its claims over the South China Sea. In 2016, he wrote:

China is intimidating the nations of Southeast Asia into submission to its will. It is forcing these countries to do what it wants. Everything is headed in the direction of war.

Learn more: Read Mr. Flurry’s article “China Is Steering the World Toward War.”