Melampaui Sinologi Tradisional

Indonesia has had a long history of interaction with China marked with periods of warm understanding and cold misunderstandings. In the modern era in particular ties have been complicated by domestic politics. As China rises in the 21st century and takes its place in the world, Indonesia has to be able to define its relationship vis-a-vis China. To be able to do this, Indonesians need to better understand China. Ability to understand the Chinese language and China’s culture, although basic and essential, is no longer enough. The study of modern China needs to go beyond the traditional understanding of Sinology, strengthened by other academic disciplines, if Indonesians want to better anticipate the dynamics of Indonesia-China relations.