Doing business with China

Doing business with China

The chairman of China's National People's Congress, Li Peng, recently visited Indonesia, opening up opportunities for increased bilateral economic ties that both sides must properly and quickly seize.

In the New Order era, ethnic Chinese businesspeople were intentionally placed between the ruler and the people. During this period, Indonesia's economy grew impressively but was tainted by rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism. In this context, ethnic Chinese businesspeople have often been accused of holding a share of the blame for the collapse of Indonesia's economy.

Actually, these ethnic Chinese businesspeople are not entirely to blame, because business is business and business goals will be reached by hook or by crook.

Thankfully, Indonesia's present political and economic situation has done away with much of this adverse stigma. Like it or not, Indonesia must make use of China's rapid economic development. An overly dominant Chinese economy will cause a crisis in Asia.

Businesses run by ethnic Chinese will be the backbone of Southeast Asia's business development and prosperity. If these businesses enjoy enough freedom and prosper, the countries where they operate -- Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, for example -- will be economically sound and stable.

In Indonesia, ethnic Chinese businesspeople often enjoy freedom, but sometimes they are intimidated. That's why the country's economy is swinging back and forth.

Ethnic Chinese businesspeople are assets to the country and must be cashed in on in facing global competition, particularly in dealing with businesspeople from China.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta