Strengthening National Commitment Expected from Ethnic Chinese Business Practitioners
The strengthening of national commitment has come under scrutiny as investment flows and global influence have increased, particularly for ethnic Chinese business practitioners in Indonesia. This emerged during a forum titled “Imlek 2026: Chineseness within the Frame of Indonesian Culture” organised by Aspertina, IPTI, and FSI on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
The forum discussed the position of the Indonesian Chinese community within global dynamics, including increased Chinese investment into various countries, including Indonesia.
Dr Thung Julan from BRIN emphasised that identity is not merely a cultural issue, but also a political decision that carries responsibility. Identity is formed through lengthy social interaction, including acculturation and assimilation, which gave rise to peranakan (mixed-heritage) groups in Indonesian history.
Julan explained that Chinese arrivals in Indonesia occurred over different periods, resulting in internal diversity ranging from totok groups (those oriented towards China) to peranakan groups bound to local culture.
In the context of current relations with China, Julan reminded that the position of Indonesian ethnic Chinese must be clear as part of Indonesia. “We cannot expect other nations to help us, because we are part of Indonesia,” he said.
Investment Flows and Global Influence
Christine Susanna Tjhin from Gentala Institute explained that Chinese investment abroad has increased in recent years, creating a category of “newcomers” in various countries, including Indonesia. This situation makes discussions of diaspora identity increasingly complex.
Tjhin highlighted the role of social media in strengthening the competition for global influence, including between China and the United States, which demands that society be more critical in filtering information.
Septeven Huang from IPTI assessed that young people play an important role in building an ethnic Chinese identity framed within Indonesia, including in social and economic activities. “Young ethnic Chinese must not directly imitate foreign culture without understanding its counterpart in Tiongkok culture that has acculturated with Indonesia,” he said.
Huang added that earlier generations adapted to local culture through intermarriage and active involvement in social life, whilst preserving traditions such as Chinese New Year. According to Septeven, commitment as an Indonesian nation must be the foundation. “We are Chinese, and we are Indonesian,” he said.
Dynamic Identity
Budiman Tanah Djaya from Aspertina stated that ethnic Chinese identity within the frame of Indonesian culture is dynamic and progressive. Each generation has different historical experiences that influence how they understand identity, including the post-1998 Reformasi generation that grew up in a more open atmosphere.
Johanes Herlijanto, an observer of China and the Indonesian Chinese community, quoted Wang Gungwu’s view regarding the ethnic Chinese diaspora’s ability to adapt to local society. According to him, the Chinese community has demonstrated this capability by prioritising Indonesianness in both culture and political identity throughout Indonesian history.
The forum concluded that national commitment must continue to be asserted as a foundation in both social life and economic activities, amid strengthening investment flows and global influence.