Indonesian State Policies Towards Ethnic Chinese Since World War Ⅱ

As an immigrant group, Indonesian Chinese (hereafter referred to Chinese) constitutes the distinguished ethnic and culture diversity of Indonesian society, which went through significant hardship over the years. Since the independence of Indonesia, due to the changing of international environment and domestic situation at different historical periods, policies towards the Chinese were different which presented the character of volatility and periodicity. During Sukarno’s presidency, government once protected Chinese for independence struggle in a short period, however it quickly turned to restrict and expel the influence of Chinese in economy field. Furthermore, carried on the preliminary restrictions and management in politics, took measures to erode the foundation of Chinese culture pillars as well as implementing pluralism policies. But those restrictions were relatively loose, Chinese consistently sustain their Chineseness. However, the problem of Chinese was sensitive to Sino-Indonesia diplomatic relation. Domestic political struggle made Chinese involved in political maelstrom, but overall, the Sino-Indonesia relationship maintained well.But the violent anti-communist sentiment during the Suharto era and ideology of homogenizing the Chinese through assimilation policy, meanwhile the administration also doubt their loyalty to Indonesia, the New Order government continuously attempted to politically marginalized the voices of Chinese ethnic to achieve national integration. The government strictly restricted the political activities of ethnic Chinese, but took a more flexible and double-faced policy in economic sphere. They are not only actively utilizing and mobilizing the Chinese capital, but also gave priority and privilege to pribumi. What’s more, the government implemented coerced cultural assimilation policy, regulated that ethnic Chinese could not perform their cultural performances and customs publicly. Economic growth constituted the basis of Suharto’s regime legitimacy, so during the end of New Order, government relatively relaxed restrictions on Chinese culture in order to use capital from Taiwan to develop economy. And the bilateral relations has long been frozen during this period, concerned about the political affiliation of ethnic Chinese, the bilateral relations was restored at 1990s. Economy went ahead of polity during the restoration of Sino-Indonesia diplomatic relations process.After the fall of Suharto, Indonesia underwent a process of transformation from authoritarian government to democratic government. Under the background of political democratization, minority citizens have witnessed the emergence of ethnic and cultural flavored identity. In the new historical era, Each administration basically launched multicultural policy, who were more tolerant and friendly to Chinese on political, economy and cultural aspects. Chinese citizens enjoy more rights and freedom has great significance not just for Chinese individuals but for Indonesian history. Opportunities and challenges to the development of Chinese society is more diverse. In the new era, Sino-Indonesia diplomatic relation was increasingly closer, the role of Chinese in the relations between the two countries was also changed. The political influence of ethnic Chinese was fading, but the role of envoys for economical and cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia was more prominent.