Beyond symbolism: Why Indonesia needs China expertise to match its ambition

Written by Dr Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat

Indonesia’s foreign service, though respected in ASEAN, has not fully kept pace with the demands of a world where China is central to trade, technology, and security. Without a cadre of China specialists embedded across government and academia, Jakarta risks responding to events rather than shaping them.

Southeast Asia, Faultlines9DLOctober 23, 2025Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Indonesia, China, Prabowo, Jakarta, South China Sea, ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, CELIOS, Beyond symbolism: Why Indonesia needs China expertise to match its ambition, 9DASHLINE, Beijing, Irene, Mandarin