Indonesia has leverage against China's pressure to take control over the South China Sea in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone.
The power dynamic between Indonesia and China is more complex than the one-way economic dependence that some experts assume, since China depends on Indonesian waters for ships carrying its exports and imports between the South China Sea and Indian Ocean.
If the United States blockaded China in response to an invasion of Taiwan, for example, continued access through the Malacca Strait and Indonesia’s archipelagic waters would be vital to the Chinese economy. To maintain this access, Beijing must preserve Jakarta’s goodwill.
This makes Indonesia a valuable ally for America and its friends--especially India.
And also for Russia. Should Russia pull its head out of its Putin.
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NOTE: Map from the article.
