Belt and Road Initiative: Advantages and Disadvantages for Indonesia

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative, formerly known as One Belt One Road (OBOR), is a crucial element of President Xi's "Major Country Diplomacy" policy. This policy aims to enable China to take on greater leadership in global affairs as a result of its growing power. The BRI's objective is to foster collaboration and joint development between China and countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The launch of the BRI coincided with ASEAN's vigorous promotion of its Masterplan for ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), a strategy aimed at enhancing intra-ASEAN links. There is an opportunity to combine these efforts in a way that respects each other's borders and sensitivities. Indonesia and China are among the four most populated countries in the world, and the BRI will play a crucial role in their bilateral relations. The partnership between China and Indonesia holds great potential in areas such as trade, economy, technology, education, social services, and culture. This process has advantages and disadvantages for Indonesia, which will be discussed in this article, along with the way forward.