ISLAM NUSANTARA: Journal for the Study of Islamic History and Culture
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Islam Nusantara: Journal for the Study of Islamic History and Culture

Revisiting Sino–Indonesian Encounters: A Neo-Tributary Perspective on Power, Economy, and Islamic Maritime History

Utama, Virdika Rizky (Unknown)
Mukhtar, Abdullah (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Dec 2025

Abstract

Patterns of Indonesia–China relations over the past two decades reveal an increasingly asymmetrical economic partnership shaped by large-scale investment in infrastructure and extractive industries. Strategic projects, such as the high-speed railway and nickel processing, illustrate how financial and technological dependence has deepened Indonesia’s structural vulnerability within the bilateral relationship. Interpreting these developments through the historical logic of the tributary system sheds light on emerging power hierarchies that resemble a modern neo-tributary order. Evidence from academic studies and media sources underscores the need for a more autonomous and strategically calibrated foreign policy to safeguard national sovereignty amid intensifying regional competition.   Abstrak Pola hubungan Indonesia–Tiongkok dalam dua dekade terakhir menunjukkan kemitraan ekonomi yang semakin asimetris, terutama melalui investasi besar pada infrastruktur dan industri ekstraktif. Proyek strategis seperti kereta cepat dan pengolahan nikel memperlihatkan pendalaman ketergantungan finansial dan teknologi yang meningkatkan kerentanan struktural Indonesia. Dengan membaca dinamika ini melalui logika historis sistem upeti, terlihat hierarki kekuasaan yang menyerupai tatanan neo-tributary modern. Bukti dari studi akademik dan media menegaskan perlunya politik luar negeri yang lebih mandiri dan terkalibrasi untuk menjaga kedaulatan nasional di tengah persaingan kawasan yang meningkat.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ISLAMNUSANTARA

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Education Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

ISLAM NUSANTARA: Journal for the Study of Islamic History and Culture facilitates the publication of article and book reviews on the study of Islam, Muslim culture, society, politics, and history in Southeast Asia (Nusantara) and beyond. It is published twice a year and written in Indonesia, ...