Rising investment flows and increasingly powerful global influence\nrequire a strengthened commitment to national identity, including among\nethnic Chinese business practitioners in Indonesia. This emerged during\na discussion titled \u201cLunar New Year 2026: Chinese Identity within\nIndonesian Cultural Framework\u201d held by the Association of Indonesian\nChinese Descendants (Aspertina) and the Indonesian Youth Chinese\nAssociation (IPTI) in collaboration with the Forum for Chinese Studies\nIndonesia (FSI) on Saturday, 28 February 2026.<\/p>\n
The forum examined the position of Indonesia\u2019s Chinese community amid\nglobal dynamics, including the growing flow of Chinese investment into\nvarious countries, including Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Dr Thung Julan, senior researcher at the National Research and\nInnovation Agency (BRIN), emphasised that identity is not merely a\ncultural matter but also a political choice. According to Julan,\nnationality is a political decision that carries responsibility.\nIdentity is formed through prolonged processes of social interaction,\nfrom cultural encounters, acculturation, and assimilation, which in\nIndonesian history has produced descendant communities.<\/p>\n
He explained that Chinese migration to Indonesia occurred over\ndifferent periods, resulting in internal diversity ranging from recent\nimmigrants with stronger orientation towards China to descendants more\nbound to local culture. However, in the context of current relations\nwith China, he reminded that ethnic Chinese in Indonesia must clearly\nposition themselves as part of Indonesia. \u201cWe cannot expect other\nnations to help us, because we are part of Indonesia,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Christine Susanna Tjhin from Gentala Institute explained that in\nrecent years, Chinese outbound investment has increased, creating a\ncategory of \u201cnew arrivals\u201d of the latest generation in various\ncountries, including Indonesia. This situation makes discussions of\nidentity and diaspora position increasingly complex. She also\nhighlighted social media\u2019s role in intensifying global competition for\ninfluence, including between China and the United States, necessitating\nmore critical public information filtering.<\/p>\n
IPTI representative Septeven Huang assessed that young people have an\nimportant role in building a Chinese identity framed within Indonesia,\nincluding in social and economic activities. \u201cYoung ethnic Chinese must\nnot directly imitate foreign cultures without understanding their\ncounterparts in Chinese culture that has acculturated with Indonesia,\u201d\nhe stated.<\/p>\n
He added that earlier generations adapted to local culture through\nintermarriage and active involvement in social life whilst preserving\ntraditions such as Lunar New Year celebrations. According to Septeven,\ncommitment as an Indonesian nation must remain the foundation. \u201cWe are\nChinese, and we are Indonesian,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Budiman Tanah Djaya, Aspertina Secretary, described Chinese identity\nwithin Indonesian cultural framework as dynamic and progressive. He\nassessed that each generation has different historical experiences that\ninfluence how they interpret identity, including the post-1998\nReformation generation that grew up in a more open atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Indonesia-China observer and commentator on Indonesian Chinese\nsociety Johanes Herlijanto cited Singapore academic Wang Gungwu\u2019s view\non ethnic Chinese diaspora\u2019s ability to adapt to local society.\nAccording to him, throughout Indonesian history, the Chinese community\nhas demonstrated this capability by prioritising Indonesian identity in\nboth culture and political identity.<\/p>\n
The discussion concluded that amid strengthening investment flows and\nglobal influence, national commitment must continue to be affirmed as\nthe foundation for social life and economic activity.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/amid-chinas-investment-surge-entrepreneurs-urged-to-strengthen-commitment-to-indonesia-1772452871", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }