Indonesians conflicted about China, see it as closest ally and biggest threat: survey

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Indonesians conflicted about China, see it as closest ally and biggest threat: survey

Indonesians perceive China as their country’s most valued partner and greatest threat, according to a new survey, reflecting conflicting views about Beijing’s increasing economic clout and mounting regional security concerns.

About 28.5 per cent of 820 respondents from the general public wanted Jakarta to “increase cooperation and partnership” with China, the survey by Indikator Politik showed. This was followed by Japan at 23.4 per cent and the United States at 16.5 per cent, according to the independent research firm’s findings released on October 16.

Among elite respondents – comprising academics, politicians, religious figures, and private sector professionals – 28.2 per cent favoured closer ties with China, followed by the US at 24.3 per cent and South Korea at 11.7 per cent.

Respondents among the general public from nearly 30 provinces were surveyed from December 2 to December 7 while 103 members of the elite establishment were surveyed between January 17 and June 12.

China came in first when respondents were asked about Indonesia’s closest ally, with the public and elite segments choosing the country at 20.3 per cent and 27.2 per cent, respectively. The public ranked Malaysia while elite respondents chose Japan as the second-closest ally.

In comparison, 30.2 per cent of the public also identified China as the biggest threat to Indonesia, followed by the US at 29 per cent and Israel at 11.7 per cent.

arifnsn 6 hours ago

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