Indonesians are growing wary of China and want to contain its rise, survey finds

Only 43 per cent of Indonesians polled by Australia’s Lowy Institute said they felt China’s growth was good for Indonesia. More viewed it as a threat

Warmer feelings were reserved for Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the Palestinian territories – though not the United States

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Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo speaks with China’s President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in 2019. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:33pm, 5 Apr 2022Updated: 6:23pm, 5 Apr 2022

Indonesians are becoming increasingly wary of China and Chinese investments, with six in 10 surveyed by an Australian think tank agreeing that Jakarta should join with other nations to limit Beijing’s rise.

Only 43 per cent of Indonesians polled by the Lowy Institute in December said they felt China’s growth was good for Indonesia – down from 54 per cent in 2011. Almost half the 3,000 respondents aged 17-65 said they believed China’s aim was to dominate the region.

More favourable views towards investments from the United States and its importance to Indonesia’s economy were expressed in the survey, but Washington’s influence did not hold too much sway – 84 per cent of respondents still said Indonesia should stay neutral in any US-China conflict.

Respondents in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation reserved their warmest feelings for Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the Palestinian territories. The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE ranked top for popularity compared to other foreign leaders.

The Lowy Institute said the responses “show that Indonesians see the world through a wider lens than great power rivalry”.

Yet the differences in sentiment towards the US and China are striking given their efforts to engage with Indonesia in recent years.