The Basis And Challenge Of China 's Maritime Silk Road Initiative And Indonesia' S "Global Ocean Fulcrum" Strategy

The "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" Initiative(MSR) was proposed by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Indonesia in October 2013. President Joko Widodo presented “Global Maritime Fulcrum” Strategy(GMF) when he delivered the Inaugural Speech in October 2014. The MSR and GMF have become China and Indonesia’s respective national development strategies. China and Indonesia are each other’s good neighbors, good partners and good friends,how they can align the MSR and GMF and enhance cooperation will have a profound effect on the future of China-Indonesia bilateral relationship, as well as the current international political and economic situation.China-Indonesia relations are faced the historical opportunity for development. The two countries have made fruitful achievements in political-security, trade-investment as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges. On one hand, Indonesia, with its advantages in population, natural resources, market and location will be the key partner for China to build the MSR.And China will strongly support the GMF with its advantages in technology,experience and capital. Efforts by the two countries to align strategies and enhance cooperation have received wide public support. On the other hand, there are some challenges, such as Indonesian diverse and fragmented political environment, insufficient economic environment, the lack of deep mutual trust,the South China Sea issue and fishery disputes, as well as some ups and downs as a result of engagement of other countries, such as USA, Japan and other ASEAN countries.Overall, there are more opportunities than challenges. According to the five pillars of The Belt and Road Initiative, namely policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond,China and Indonesia should enhance policy communication, create "Upgrade for Marine Economy” and promote cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity,capacity and investment, finance and people-to-people and cultural exchanges to build the China-Indonesia cooperation as a " Project Model" that will demonstrate and lead the cooperation between China and countries along The Belt and Road Initiative to make The Belt and Road Initiative a great success.