The Tionghoa’s Position in the History of Indonesia-China Relations from 1950 to 1998: When Two Countries “Honour” is at Stake

Abstract

The Tionghoa have a unique position in the history of Indonesia-China relations. Thung Julan analyzed their position within the framework of an “outsider within and insider without”, in which the Tionghoa are expected to act as a “bridge” linking both nations. This view is interesting to discuss more deeply, especially due to some historical events pertaining to Indonesia-China diplomatic relations from 1950-1998. During those events, each country, but especially China, exploited the Tionghoa for their own benefit. This article uses a historical approach that includes heuristic stages, verification/criticism, interpretation and historiography to show the position of the Tionghoa in the relations between Indonesia and China. Subsequently, in that context, it considers to what extent the Tionghoa can act as a “bridge” that links both nations and countries, especially when “honour” is at stake. This analysis was conducted within the framework of the concept of mianzi, which in Chinese culture contains the meaning of “honour”, including the dignity and
sovereignty of the nation. Thus, this research shows that in some IndonesiaChina relations historical events are related to the Tionghoa and that China has always made an effort to not “lose face” or diu mian.