Navigating Between the Two Reefs: Indonesian Media and Government Representation of China and the United States

Abstract

This article examines how China and the United States’ relations with Indonesia, a middle power, are represented in the Indonesian national media and government official statements through a content analysis of materials from 2015-2019. The findings presented in this article show a positive representation of the U.S. In comparison, the findings point to Indonesia’s ambiguity in dealing with China. This includes concerns over the impact of China’s trade policies on Indonesia’s economy, the potential use of joint port infrastructure projects for military purposes, and China’s behaviour in the South China Sea.