The Global Security Initiative Idea from China Needs to Be Approached With Caution
VIVA English – Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries need to be wary and approach with caution the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to Johanes Herlijanto, Chairman of the Indonesian Sinology Forum.
He made this statement during a seminar titled Global Security Initiative (GSI) Ala Xi Jinping: Perspectives and Impacts on Southeast Asia on May 6, 2023, in Jakarta.
Sofwan Al Bana, Ph.D, an International Relations expert from the University of Indonesia, Depok, was also present and presented some of the main principles of GSI, which is a Chinese global security project, such as firmly upholding a shared, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security vision and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
Sofwan also pointed out that GSI is actually part of a scheme that has been going on since 2010, in which China is now beginning to demonstrate its strength in preventing war and having a greater space in the international system for its rise.
“This does not mean that China wants to eliminate the status quo's power, but rather it is asking for a greater space in the international system for its own rise,” said Sofwan.
However, Johanes emphasized that China's principles have been criticized and seen as rhetoric by international policy observers.
For example, conflicts that often occur between China and India and the idea of rejecting the "Cold War mentality" and confrontation between blocs, but behaving similarly by building unlimited partnerships with Russia and trying to build security pacts with Pacific Island countries.
In Johanes' view, China's behavior around the South China Sea (SCS), even in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the Natuna Islands, is a relevant example that shows the contradiction between the beautiful ideas of GSI and China's actual behavior.
“Various incidents in which Chinese coast guard vessels and fishermen have clashed with authorities of Southeast Asian countries in the EEZs of these countries over the last decade,” said Johannes.
Johannes who is also a lecturer at Pelita Harapan University stressed, that China's behavior in the SCS and Indonesia's EEZ should be watched and approached with caution by Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries.
“As long as China remains preoccupied with building its military presence in the waters of the South China Sea, implementing gray-zone operations in the EEZs of Southeast Asian countries, including in waters near the Natuna Islands, the rhetoric of the GSI emphasizing peace, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, and rejection of the Cold War mentality will remain mere words that are difficult to gain trust,” he said.
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