Jokowi: Indonesia Must Take Advantage of China-US Rivalry
16 December 2015 16:44 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo said Indonesia must take advantage of rivalries between countries, such as China-US or China-Japan. “Indonesia is in the center of the those rivalries. What must we do? Take advantage as must as we can and use them for our national interest,” said Jokowi in a speech in Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) leadership meeting at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap on Wednesday, December 16.
Jokowi said the advantages may be in economy or politics sectors. “Every country’s major strategy must be calculated; which one is more beneficial for national interest,” he said.
In the next few years, Jokowi said, rivalry of large countries will intensify, especially in geostrategy. Competition for access to maritime resources, energy and food will be more intense. “We have all those three in Indonesia. We must make the use of them,” he said.
Jokowi also urged all national elements to be not afraid of the age of openness between countries, especially the free trade. According to Jokowi, other countries are also worried about Indonesia’s potential. “They are worried, so we don’t have to worry,” he said.
ANANDA TERESIA
