Indonesia ’ s Response to the Rise of China : Growing Comfort amid Uncertainties CHAPTER 5 (original) (raw)

The growing influence of China constitutes an important, if not the most important strategic development in East Asia and beyond. It represents a key driver of change in the dynamics of major power relations and will have significant impacts on regional politics in East Asia. Within the region, China has become an influential player in all aspects including the political, security, economic and military arenas. Indeed, the rise of China has become a dominant discourse in the region, both within and outside government circles. For Southeast Asian states, which have had difficult relationships with China in the past, managing and coping with the rise of a new and powerful China in the 21st century has become one of the most elusive foreign policy challenges.