Indonesia’s Transformation To Australian Relations Since Joko Widodo Took Office

The relations between Indonesia and Australia was unsatisfactory during the period of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government.Due to the differences in the governing style and diplomatic ideology of the leaders,there were a great deal of discord between the two sides in political,economic and military cooperations,the long-standing relationship also became extremely contradictory.Since Joko Widodo took the office,he has opened up a new path to developing the two countries’ relations with his unique way.This new diplomatic notion not only wins more friends for Indonesia,but also plays a very big role in promoting the country’s future development.The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia during the period of Susilo’s government was through ups and downs:the frequent diplomatic waves between the two countries revealed mutual political distrust;there were numerous obstacles and barriers in the economic cooperation;it also had serious problems in the relationship of defense and security due to the refugee and terrorist activities.Indonesia’s relations with Australia has begun to change since Joko came into power:the political relationship has gradually eased on the basis of high-level reciprocal exchanges and bilateral and multilateral meetings;with the resumption of the negotiation of Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership(IA-CEPA),the economic ties of both countries are increasingly close;because of the harms caused by traditional security and non-traditional security,both sides are also strengthening their cooperation to safeguard maritime safety.One of the reasons for Indonesia’s Transformation to Australian Relations is that Joko possesses distinctive governing and foreign concept compared with the previous leaders of Indonesia;the second reason is to change the current domestic economic situation and lay the foundation for implementation of national development strategies;the third reason is that both countries are deeply threatened by maritime hazards,so that the establishment of strategic partnership is the result of common interests;the fourth reason is that the cooperation can reduce the adverse impacts resulting from the decline of global trade under the background of international environment.Indonesia has also brought many beneficial effects on the transformation of Australia’s relations:these transitions can help to break the bottleneck of Indonesia’s domestic economic development,facilitate the coordinated development of economy;maintain the maritime safety of the two countries and resist external threats;promote the reform of the international financial system,boost the balanced development of the international economy.The improvement of the relations between the two countries defuses the indifference over the years and wins a friend with strategic consensus for Indonesia.With the help of Australia,Indonesia’s economy is gradually getting on track,further enhancing Indonesia’s regional and international influence force.Facts have proved that Joko’s strategic choice and long-term vision bring Indonesia into a new stage of development.