A warming relationship?<\/p>\n
Given the myriad pressing problems of Indonesia today, it is
\nhardly surprising that President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\ndecision to go on a tour of Asia is causing controversy.<\/p>\n
Observers, analysts and the public are intensely interested in
\nthe pros and cons of the President's first official visit to
\nChina, North and South Korea and India.<\/p>\n
Some say it is too much of a luxury for the President to spend
\nall that money touring at a time when the country is still
\nstruggling to survive one of its worst crises in several decades.
\nThe president would have done better to stay at home and tackle
\nthe problems facing Indonesians, they argue.<\/p>\n
These critics have a point. Nobody can deny that Indonesia is
\nin dire economic and financial straits and can hardly afford to
\nsquander money on gestures of diplomatic courtesy whose tangible
\nbenefits for Indonesia are doubtful, to say the least. The fact,
\nhowever, that President Megawati is traveling at the head of an
\nassemblage that includes 105 prominent Indonesian businessmen,
\nnot to mention cabinet ministers and other members of her
\nentourage, is a clear signal that this is no mere courtesy visit.<\/p>\n
Clearly, the president intends to draw the most benefit out of
\nthis tour and lay the groundwork for wider cooperation in the
\nfields of trade and investment in the future.<\/p>\n
So far, Megawati's visit to China seems to be not entirely
\nwithout results, as the critics feared. A number of memoranda of
\nunderstanding (MOUs) were signed by the two parties on Sunday,
\nthe first day of the president's visit, and more are to follow.<\/p>\n
These may not exactly be results to boast about, but our two
\nnations seem set to enjoy much more significant growth in trade
\nand economic relations in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
China currently ranks fifth as Indonesia's largest trading
\npartner, trailing the United States, Japan, Singapore and
\nMalaysia, with Indonesian exports standing at US$4.4 billion and
\nimports at US$3.06. Chinese investment in Indonesia has now
\nreached US$497 million, spread over 138 projects. In late
\nJanuary, Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina and
\npartner British Petroleum were shortlisted as potential suppliers
\nof liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Guangdong, China. Officials say
\nthat if they win the bid, they could supply 1.5 million metric
\ntons of LNG annually to China from the Tangguh gas field in
\nPapua.<\/p>\n
Hence, President Megawati's tour, especially of China, should
\nbe assessed with one eye on the future. Many observers predict
\nthat given its impressive economic growth rate so far, China is
\ndestined to be a world economic giant in the next few decades.<\/p>\n
With the Cold War over and communism in China no more than a
\nshadow of its old self, there is no reason for Indonesia to fear
\ncloser relations. And considering the results that the president's
\nvisit appear to have brought so far, signs are that improved
\nrelations are on the way.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-warming-relationship-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}