Resuming Indonesia-China Military Exercises: A Test for Jakarta’s Non-Alignment
Omar Rasya Joenoes: Resuming Indonesia-China Military Exercises - A Test for Jakarta’s Non-Alignment in an Increasingly Uncertain Earth. AIES Comment 2025/2.
17.03.2025
As of 2022, China has remained Indonesia's top trading partner for a decade, with significant investments securing Indonesia's position as China's second-largest investment destination among ASEAN nations. Despite these deep economic ties, military cooperation between the two countries has remained limited. However, Indonesia's current administration, led by President Prabowo Subianto, may seek to revive bilateral military exercises with China.
This paper explores the implications of Indonesia’s strategic non-alignment in an increasingly uncertain global landscape—one reshaped by a seismic geopolitical shift, with the U.S. aligning with Russia and Europe left in a precarious position. In this context, Indonesia’s upcoming decision to resume military engagement with China raises critical questions about the future of Southeast Asia’s largest economy and its role in the evolving regional order.