RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – A webinar by Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, highlighted that China plays an "increasingly significant and multidimensional" role in shaping the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region, including in Indonesia–Australia relations. Speakers said this requires Indonesia to maintain strategic autonomy through its principle of free and active foreign policy.

Head of the Political Research Center (PRP) at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Athiqah Nur Alami, said Indonesia and Australia, as middle powers, face similar challenges in navigating China’s growing economic, political, and military influence. This can directly impact security and defense policies, as well as regional stability.

Athiqah explained that the China factor could encourage closer cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, particularly in maintaining regional stability and an open, rules-based Indo-Pacific order. However, differences in policy approaches toward China can also potentially create their dynamics and challenges in bilateral relations.

“This webinar aims to deepen understanding of China’s role and position in Indonesia–Australia relations, while also encouraging dialogue and research collaboration between research institutions and universities in Indonesia and Australia,” Athiqah said during the webinar "The China Factors in Indonesia–Australia Relations", organized by BRIN’s Political Research Center.

BRIN Political Research Center professor, Dewi Fortuna Anwar, served as the keynote speaker at the Australia Awards-supported webinar. She pointed out that China’s rise is a key factor influencing relations between Indonesia and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region.

“For Indonesia, relations with China are framed by the principle of a free and active foreign policy, which allows the country to seize economic opportunities, particularly in investment and downstream processing of strategic minerals, while still safeguarding national independence,” she said, as quoted from a BRIN news release on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

On the other hand, Dewi noted that Australia tends to emphasize a security-oriented approach and Western strategic alliances as a response to China’s rise. This difference reflects distinct strategic cultures, but it does not prevent the strengthening of Indonesia–Australia relations as fellow middle powers.

On the occasion, assistant professor of international relations at the University of Indonesia, Yeremia Lalisang, highlighted the increasing Chinese investment in Indonesia’s energy sector and downstreaming in minerals, particularly in nickel and renewable energy.

"Investment creates economic opportunities and strengthens national industry. At the same time, it also brings risks of strategic dependence that need to be anticipated through partner diversification, including with Australia," he said.

Meanwhile, Associate Director for Defence, Space and National Security at the Strategic Partnership Office of the University of Queensland, Greta Nabbs-Keller, spotlighted the importance of Indonesia–Australia collaboration across sectors. She also pointed out the need to strike a balance between leveraging economic cooperation with China and safeguarding regional security interests.

BRIN Political Research Center researcher, Indriana Kartini, added that intensifying rivalry between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific requires Indonesia to maintain strategic autonomy through its free and active foreign policy principle. The discussion underscored the importance of research-based studies and sustained policy dialogue in responding to regional geopolitical dynamics and strengthening both nations' partnership amid China’s growing influence.

“In the context of Indonesia–Australia relations, strengthening strategic dialogue and supporting ASEAN centrality are key to maintaining regional stability,” she said.