Author: Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Zulfikar is currently the Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) in Jakarta. Zulfikar also holds affiliated positions at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, the London School of Economics' IDEAS, and Busan University of Foreign Studies. His areas of expertise lie in the political economy of international cooperation, with a particular emphasis on China-Indonesia relations, China-Middle East relations, and Indonesia-Middle East relations.
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How China Can Capitalize on Indonesia’s New $900 Billion Investment Fund
China has a prime opportunity to expand its economic presence in Indonesia through the newly established Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Board (Danantara). Announced by President Prabowo Subianto, Danantara will manage $900 billion in assets, consolidating key state-owned enterprises (SOEs) into a centralized investment body. ...
Indonesia’s Manufacturing Gamble: Turning Trade Wars into Economic Opportunity
The relocation of Chinese factories to Southeast Asia is no longer just speculation; it is happening. Countries like Vietnam have already seen significant increases in Chinese industrial investment as companies seek alternative production bases to navigate shifting global trade dynamics.
Indonesia’s Evolving Maritime and Defense Cooperation with China: Balancing Diplomacy and Sovereignty
January has been a pivotal month for Indonesia as it navigates its complex relationship with China, marked by a series of high-level defense and security discussions. These meetings underscore Indonesia’s careful balancing act—strengthening ties with Beijing while maintaining sovereignty and regional autonomy. The engagements span maritime security, ...
Wang Lutong’s Diplomatic Challenges as China’s New Envoy to Indonesia
The recent appointment of Wang Lutong as China’s 14th Ambassador to Indonesia signifies a pivotal moment in the growing relationship between the two nations. Arriving in Jakarta in late November, Wang succeeds Lu Kang, who served as Beijing's envoy since 2021.
Indonesia-China Relations in 2024: Year-in-Review
In 2024, Indonesia-China relations reached a critical juncture, characterized by deepening cooperation and emerging tensions. While economic ties, security collaboration, and cultural diplomacy expanded, several challenges are complicating bilateral ties between the two countries. Indonesia’s formal intention to join the ...
Indonesia’s South China Sea Strategy: Pragmatism or Concession?
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's recent visit to Beijing yielded a joint statement that included an unexpected commitment to joint development in disputed areas of the South China Sea. This move, involving regions long contested by Indonesia and China, raised concerns about Jakarta's evolving stance on China's ...
China’s Expanding Media Diplomacy in Indonesia: A New Frontier or an Outdated Strategy?
This article is co-authored by Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at CELIOS. The China-Indonesia Media Forum that took place in Beijing in early September ...
Prabowo’s ‘Good Neighbor Policy’ in Action: Indonesia Pursues BRICS
Indonesia's recent decision to pursue full membership in BRICS—a coalition of major emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has stirred significant discussion amid an evolving geopolitical landscape. During the recent BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan earlier this month, Foreign Minister Sugiono officially expressed ...
U.S. Can Do More Than Just Blocking China-Invested Indonesian Nickel
This article is co-authored Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at CELIOS, and Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS). The potential U.S. decision to block nickel imports from Indonesia ...
Key Takeaways From Indonesian Foreign Minister’s Visit to China
This article is co-authored by Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, director of the China-Indonesia desk at CELIOS. On August 23, 2023, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi embarked on a pivotal ...
The China-Indonesia 2+2 Dialogue: A Diplomatic Milestone or a New Set of Challenges?
On August 13, 2024, Jakarta played host to a pivotal moment in international diplomacy with the inaugural Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Joint Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 SOM) between Indonesia and China. This meeting, which sets the stage for a more comprehensive ministerial-level dialogue ...
Indonesia and China Explore Transportation Collaboration Beyond Electric Vehicles
This article is co-authored by Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and Yeta Purnama, researcher at CELIOS. In recent years, Indonesia has become more interested in deepening transportation ties ...