Indonesia–Taiwan relations
Indonesia–Taiwan relations are foreign relations between Indonesia and Taiwan. Currently, Indonesia does not officially recognize the Republic of China as it adopted the One-China Policy; officially recognizing the People’s Republic of China only since 1950. Despite geopolitical constraints, the relationship between the two countries remain flourished over time, with growing opportunities for widening and deepening ties.
History
Ethnically and linguistically indigenous peoples of Taiwan and native Indonesians are related, as both are of Austronesian ancestry. The "out of Taiwan theory" suggests that the Austronesian-speaking people — the ancestors of Indonesians — came from Taiwan during the "Austronesian Expansion" which began 4,000–5,000 years ago. Nevertheless, the question of origin and ancestry of present-day Austronesian-speaking populations remains controversial.Prior to the Independence of Indonesia, during Dutch East Indies era in early 20th century, the Republic of China has reached out to people of the Indies, especially towards Overseas Chinese. Back in 1900, the socio-religious organization Tiong Hoa Hwe Koan, also known as the Chinese Association, was founded in the East Indies. Their goal was to urge ethnic Chinese in the Indies to support the revolutionary movement in mainland China. The 1912 founding of the Republic of China coincided with a growing Chinese-nationalist movement within the Indies. At that time, many Chinese Indonesians had dual citizenship and remained loyal to the Republic of China.
After Indonesia proclaimed its independence in 1945 and won recognition in 1949, Indonesia briefly recognized the Republic of China between 1949 and 1950. However, after the defeat of the Republic of China Armed Forces to the People's Liberation Army and its retreat to Taiwan, a former Japanese colony, Indonesia shifted its official recognition to People's Republic of China and opted for the One-China policy.
In 1965, after a political turmoil in Indonesia that led to the fall of Sukarno and the rise of Suharto, the relationship between Indonesia and Communist China worsened as the two nations severed diplomatic relations. However Indonesia did not re-establish diplomatic relations with Republic of China, despite sharing anti-communist sentiments at that time. Nevertheless, Indonesia and Taiwan enjoy close relations since the late 1960s.
Indonesia has established an Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei since 1970, while Taiwan reciprocated by establishing the Taipei Economic and Trade Office, [Jakarta, Indonesia|Taipei Economic and Trade Office] in Jakarta since 1971. In October 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the planned opening of the second TETO in Surabaya, East Java. The office was officially opened on 18 December 2015 and started its operation on 21 December 2015.
Economic relations
Indonesia is Taiwan's 10th-largest trade partner, with annual two-way trade volume reaching US$12.3 billion. For Indonesia, Taiwan is their 9th-largest foreign direct investment source, with total investments amounting to US$15.3 billion, generating about 1 million job opportunities, while there are around 8,000 Taiwanese managerial and technical personnel working in Indonesia. According to the Investment Coordinating Board, 1,475 Taiwanese investors had invested in Indonesia up to June 2012.On 12 May 2016, both sides signed an agricultural cooperation agreement in Taipei, which includes agrifood, horticulture, dairy farming and slope crops for areas of cooperation and investment.
Education
Currently, there are around 4,500 Indonesian students studying in Taiwan.Citizens of the Republic of China residing in Indonesia are served by two international schools: