Indonesia in between China and the U.S.

Joko Widodo and Obama

Indonesia in between China and the U.S.

U.s. President Barack Obama praised the role of Indonesia in Southeast Asia.

The presence of the President of the Joko Widodo economic cooperation forum in theAsia-Pacific (APEC) in Beijing, which is its first in a developing international forum, got a warm welcome from many State leaders. However, in the midst of the euphoria,there are enormous challenges run President Jokowi.

Since arriving in China's capital, Beijing, on Saturday 8 November, President Jokowihas attended a variety of events, including a meeting with United States PresidentBarack Obama.

At the meeting, Obama admitted Indonesia played an important role in Southeast Asia.

"As a leader in Asean, Indonesia played an important role in this area, and to lead in a variety of things including maritime security," said Obama.

However, apart from the maritime axis, the other issues are emerging in the APEC Summit this time it is the axis of free trade.

Central United States formed the Trans-Pacific Partnership that involves 12 countriesthat include Japan, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Viet Nam, and Singapore without the presence of China.

On the other hand, China is looking for support for the realization of a free trade Area of the Asia-Pacific or FTAAP without entering the United States.

Siding

Faisal Fithra, Faculty of international trade, University of Indonesia, Indonesia will probably argue in favour of leaning to China and Japan.

"We can see Ministers in the Government of President's economic team, Joko Widodowas very close to Japan and China. Still, Indonesia did not have to follow the FTAAP orTPP. We can strengthen, for instance, ASEAN + 3, "said Fithra told reporters BBCIndonesia, Jerome Wirawan.

Meanwhile, other analysts see Indonesia should play a beautiful diplomacy so as not to seem biased to one of the camps.

"Indonesia should be able to play the diplomacy is gorgeous. Indonesia certainly does not want to harm its national interests by favouring one party and the other partyconsidering harming Indonesia became close friends with both of them. Thus,Indonesia should find a middle way. Furthermore, in the Asia Pacific region, there are forums involving both China and the us, "said researcher Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Ganewati Wuryandari.

Although the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the FTAAP is still not implemented,Indonesia will undergo free trade in ASEAN of the ASEAN economic community in2015 to come. (BBC)