Sino-Indo Mutual Learning and Cooperation in a Multipolarising World
Convener: Zuo Zhigang
In an era marked by shifting global power dynamics and the rise of the Global South, the relationship between China and Indonesia stands as a pivotal axis for reimagining international cooperation. This panel brings together emerging and established scholars from the world to explore the multifaceted dimensions of Sino-Indonesian engagement—historical, developmental, economic, and cultural.
Moving beyond Western-centric frameworks, the presentations offer critical insights into how mutual learning between China and Indonesia contributes to a pluriversal world—one where multiple pathways to modernity, governance, and progress coexist and interact. From archival traces of Nusantara in Ming Dynasty records to contemporary digital branding strategies targeting Gen Z, the panel weaves together past and present, policy and perception, infrastructure and identity.
By examining these diverse yet interconnected topics, the panel seeks to foster a deeper understanding of how Sino-Indonesian cooperation not only reflects but actively shapes the multipolarising world. It invites audiences to rethink development, diplomacy, and identity from the perspective of the Global South—where collaboration is not mimicry, but mutual inspiration.
Panel Presentations:
1. China’s Development Experience and International Cooperation
– Speaker: Name (Prof. Dr. Zuo Zhigang), Director, Center for Indonesian Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies(GDUFS).
– Abstract: This presentation examines the trajectory of China’s modernization, framing its development not as a isolated phenomenon but as an integral part of the evolving global economic landscape. Moving beyond the simplistic narrative of mere economic growth, the talk deconstructs the key institutional and policy innovations—such as the coordinated role of effective government and competitive market—that underpinned China’s structural transformation. The discussion will also highlight the evolving nature of South-South cooperation, the value of China’s experience lies not in providing a rigid template, but in demonstrating the importance of strategic adaptability, long-term planning, and people-centered philosophy in achieving shared global prosperity..
2. “Nusantara” in the Ming Dynasty: Records from Ancient Chinese Archives
– Speaker: Name (Dr. Xiao Lixian), Associate Professor, Center for Indonesian Studies, GDUFS.
– Abstract: Trust in modern international relations is often rooted in historical awareness. This presentation delves into Chinese historical records from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to uncover the earliest diplomatic and trade relations with the Nusantara archipelago. By examining these ancient texts, Dr. Xiao reveals a long history of maritime connectivity predating Western colonialism, providing a cultural and historical foundation for contemporary Sino-Indonesian relations and challenging the narrative that South-South cooperation is a recent phenomenon.
3. Digital Communication Strategies for Guangdong Enterprises Targeting Gen Z in Indonesia: From the Perspective of Bias Elimination and Perception Shaping
– Speaker: Name (Dr. Liu Pei), Associate Professor, Center for Indonesian Studies, GDUFS.
– Abstract: As Guangdong enterprises expand into Indonesia, brand perception among the influential Gen Z demographic is critical. This study investigates the current perception of Guangdong products in Indonesia and proposes digital communication strategies aimed at eliminating pre-existing biases. Dr. Liu argues that successful market entry requires more than translation; it demands a deep understanding of local digital culture to shape a brand image that resonates with Indonesian youth, thereby building consumer trust as a microcosm of broader economic cooperation.
4. Beyond the Western Paradigm: Sino-Indonesian Developmental Cooperation and the Practice of Pluriversal Governance
– Speaker: Name (Dr. Zheng Jiajie), Researcher, Center for Indonesian Studies, GDUFS.
– Abstract: This paper critically examines the concept of “development” itself. Dr. Zheng analyzes specific Sino-Indonesian cooperation projects (e.g., the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway) as case studies of “Pluriversal Governance”—a framework that acknowledges multiple pathways to modernity. The presentation argues that these projects represent a departure from the standardized neoliberal prescriptions of the Washington Consensus, offering instead a hybrid model that blends Chinese capital and technology with local Indonesian social and political contexts, thereby contributing to the diversification of governance models within the Global South.
5. (other participants)