Amid China's Investment Surge, Entrepreneurs Urged to Strengthen Commitment to Indonesia
Rising investment flows and increasingly powerful global influence require a strengthened commitment to national identity, including among ethnic Chinese business practitioners in Indonesia. This emerged during a discussion titled “Lunar New Year 2026: Chinese Identity within Indonesian Cultural Framework” held by the Association of Indonesian Chinese Descendants (Aspertina) and the Indonesian Youth Chinese Association (IPTI) in collaboration with the Forum for Chinese Studies Indonesia (FSI) on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
The forum examined the position of Indonesia’s Chinese community amid global dynamics, including the growing flow of Chinese investment into various countries, including Indonesia.
Dr Thung Julan, senior researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), emphasised that identity is not merely a cultural matter but also a political choice. According to Julan, nationality is a political decision that carries responsibility. Identity is formed through prolonged processes of social interaction, from cultural encounters, acculturation, and assimilation, which in Indonesian history has produced descendant communities.
He explained that Chinese migration to Indonesia occurred over different periods, resulting in internal diversity ranging from recent immigrants with stronger orientation towards China to descendants more bound to local culture. However, in the context of current relations with China, he reminded that ethnic Chinese in Indonesia must clearly position themselves as part of Indonesia. “We cannot expect other nations to help us, because we are part of Indonesia,” he stated.
Christine Susanna Tjhin from Gentala Institute explained that in recent years, Chinese outbound investment has increased, creating a category of “new arrivals” of the latest generation in various countries, including Indonesia. This situation makes discussions of identity and diaspora position increasingly complex. She also highlighted social media’s role in intensifying global competition for influence, including between China and the United States, necessitating more critical public information filtering.
IPTI representative Septeven Huang assessed that young people have an important role in building a Chinese identity framed within Indonesia, including in social and economic activities. “Young ethnic Chinese must not directly imitate foreign cultures without understanding their counterparts in Chinese culture that has acculturated with Indonesia,” he stated.
He added that earlier generations adapted to local culture through intermarriage and active involvement in social life whilst preserving traditions such as Lunar New Year celebrations. According to Septeven, commitment as an Indonesian nation must remain the foundation. “We are Chinese, and we are Indonesian,” he said.
Budiman Tanah Djaya, Aspertina Secretary, described Chinese identity within Indonesian cultural framework as dynamic and progressive. He assessed that each generation has different historical experiences that influence how they interpret identity, including the post-1998 Reformation generation that grew up in a more open atmosphere.
Indonesia-China observer and commentator on Indonesian Chinese society Johanes Herlijanto cited Singapore academic Wang Gungwu’s view on ethnic Chinese diaspora’s ability to adapt to local society. According to him, throughout Indonesian history, the Chinese community has demonstrated this capability by prioritising Indonesian identity in both culture and political identity.
The discussion concluded that amid strengthening investment flows and global influence, national commitment must continue to be affirmed as the foundation for social life and economic activity.