Sinology, Studying the Wonders of Chinese Culture in Indonesia

Jakarta – Sinology, the academic discipline that studies the history, culture, language, and other aspects of China, has experienced significant development in Indonesia. Both domestic and international advancements have had a positive impact on the study of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Indonesia.

Johanes Herlijanto, the Chairman of the Indonesian Sinology Forum (FSI), emphasized the importance of equality in the Indonesia-China relationship. He stated that achieving equality includes continuously gaining an objective and critical understanding of China.

"Our hope is for both Chinese and non-Chinese individuals to develop an interest in studying sinology, an academic field that focuses on the history, society, politics, economics, and international relations of China," he explained during a recent online seminar organized by the FSI on Monday, July 10, 2023.

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Chairman of the Forum Sinologi Indonesia, Johanes Herlijanto

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• Press Release

During the reform era in Indonesia, sinology gained greater freedom. Under the New Order regime, sinology was closely monitored by the government. However, as the democratic climate in the country developed, sinology gained broader freedom.

On the other hand, the rise of China and the increased relations between Indonesia and China have led to a growing demand for sinology studies. This was expressed by Professor A. Dahana, a retired professor of Chinese studies at the University of Indonesia.

Professor Dahana discussed the history of the establishment of sinology during the seminar. Marco Polo, a famous explorer, can be considered one of the earliest sinologists. While held captive in the city of Genoa, Marco Polo recounted his experiences in China during the Yuan Dynasty, which were later compiled into the book "The Travels of Marco Polo" by Rustichello.

"In later centuries, from the 15th to the 18th century, European missionaries arrived in China to spread the Gospel," he said. The development of sinology in Indonesia also has a rich history. The interest in contemporary China began to grow in the late colonial era, particularly among the Chinese community. Organizations like Soe Po Sia (Reading Room) and the Office for Chinese Affairs established by the Dutch East Indies government became platforms for discussions and the development of Chinese studies.

"In Indonesia, the study of China began to develop during the late colonial period, especially in the first decade of the past century when the interest in contemporary Chinese issues started to grow, particularly among the Chinese community," he stated.

However, in recent years, sinology has faced new challenges. Some departments and programs use the name "Chinese" but only focus on teaching Mandarin, neglecting other aspects of sinology. Critical approaches in studying China are sometimes overlooked.

Professor Dr. Hermina Sutami, an active professor in the Chinese Studies program at the University of Indonesia, highlighted the challenges facing the field of Chinese studies or sinology today. One of the challenges is how to study Mandarin within the context of learning a foreign language.

"Another challenge is how to develop Chinese studies to understand China from various academic fields, thus fostering harmonious relations between Indonesia and China," she added.

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"In later centuries, from the 15th to the 18th century, European missionaries arrived in China to spread the Gospel," he said. The development of sinology in Indonesia also has a rich history. The interest in contemporary China began to grow in the late colonial era, particularly among the Chinese community. Organizations like Soe Po Sia (Reading Room) and the Office for Chinese Affairs established by the Dutch East Indies government became platforms for discussions and the development of Chinese studies.