Yet now, as Jokowi seeks re-election, he appears to be distancing himself from Beijing and downplaying the importance of Chinese-funded projects in Indonesia. It's a pattern emerging across southeast Asia and beyond, and one that will be of great concern for Beijing as Chinese investment and ties become an awkward -- if not downright toxic -- election issue. Under Jokowi, Indonesia has joined both the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as well as Xi's BRI. Even supporters of greater Chinese investment in Indonesia have turned on it -- Tom Lembong, the country's investment chief, told Bloomberg it "represents everything that's wrong with Belt and Road." Chinese investment and alleged influence played a role in Malaysia's elections last year.

Source: CNN April 05, 2019 00:00 UTC