| Indonesia has the largest population of overseas Chinese in the world. The Chinese Indonesians have played an important and special role in the history of China-Indonesiapolitical, economic and cultural exchanges. They have made great contributions to thesocial progress of Indonesia as well as the China-Indonesia relations through hard-work. However, they have suffered long-term discrimination and oppression. The reasons for their suffering were complicated yet multi-faceted, among which, the local government policies could be a major factor.Since Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono became the first Indonesian President through direct election, he has adopted a series of measures to improve the environment for the survival of the Chinese Indonesians, including encouraging their participation in politics,introducing the new Nationality Law, abandoning the humiliating word“Cinaâ€and etc.As it is, the overseas Chinese issue has existed in Indonesia for quite a long time withextending influences. Some native Indonesians’attitude toward Chinese descendantsis deep-rooted. Overseas Chinese in Indonesia are still faced with problems such asdifficulty in blending into the mainstream society, lack of awareness in politicalparticipation and so on. These problems may not be addressed by putting in place newlaws and regulations. However, relevant policies of the Susilo government will havefar-reaching influences on the Chinese community in Indonesia, and contributegreatly to the social and economic development as well as the national integration ofIndonesia. |
