CHINA-INDONESIA COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: IMPROVING CHINA CULTURE DIPLOMACY IN INDONESIA THORUGH CONFUCIUS VALUES (2014-2018)

Abstract

Ancient Chinese culture, politics, and military had a profound impact on the development of diplomatic activities between China and Indonesia. The basic characteristics of China's diplomacy towards Indonesia are peaceful and kind diplomacy, diplomatic practice of tolerance and cooperation, and non-utilitarian cooperation in state affairs. The relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia went through many ups and downs. They have achieved some milestones, but also some issues. A new era emerged after China and Indonesia signed China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which gives the two countries more exchanges, particularly in exchange of culture. One particular program that China brought to Indonesia is the Confucius Institute, an Institute promoting Chinese culture, particularly the language, to foreign publics. With its rising influence in Indonesia, China-Indonesia relations has yet to achieve other milestone in the future. This research aimed to look at how China’s cultural diplomacy under China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through Confucius Institute and values influence Indonesia. Using the framework of cultural diplomacy under public diplomacy, the research found that the programs that Chinese government have can give impact to Indonesian publics. In other words, the presence of Confucius Institute and its values have provided a platform for Indonesian citizens to learn more about Chinese culture, namely language and values.