Tea, ‘Wastra’ and ‘Sasando’ Diplomacy at the G20 Summit
The two countries, China and South Korea, have close relations with Indonesia. Korea, for example, before being divided into two countries, namely North Korea and South Korea, had established relations with Indonesia.
First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo invited the companions of the leaders of the G20 countries and international institutions to see the exhibition of micro, small and medium business products at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Tuesday (15/11/2022).
In addition to geopolitical dynamics, the Group of 20 Summit was filled with symbols. These symbols appeared in a number of diplomatic gestures, which represent cooperation and partnership.
The G20 Summit has passed. However, it is interesting to look back at the various diplomatic gestures made outside the main event. This diplomatic movement emerged in a number of activities that took place outside the summit table or outside working groups, whether in the Finance Track or the Sherpa Track.
This variety of diplomacy provided nuances beyond regional geopolitical, economic or security interests. The aim was solely to strengthen friendship, foster closeness between citizens or commonly known as the people to people contact approach and closeness between countries through personal channels.
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Such a role was played by inter-groups of citizens. At the G20 Summit event, that role was played by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo. She hosted pairs of heads of state through the Spouse Program on Tuesday (15/11/2022). In a press statement from the G20 communication and media team, the event was not just about having lunch and tea. First Lady Iriana introduced Indonesian music, culinary and traditional clothing.
You can see woven cloth and silver brooches, favorites among the first ladies.
While enjoying the live music, there were a number of creative activities, such as painting bags made of woven pandanus. There were also events for learning batik and weaving. At the end of the program they were given a variety of souvenirs from Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). You can see woven cloth and silver brooches, favorites among the first ladies.
On the last day of the summit, Wednesday (16/11), First Lady Iriana personally hosted the First Lady of China Peng Liyuan and the First Lady of South Korea Kim Keon Hee in separate events. The two activities took place at the Apurva Hotel, where heads of state held a conference that later produced the 2022 Bali Declaration.
Close partners
The two countries, China and South Korea, have close relations with Indonesia. Korea, for example, before being divided into two countries, namely North Korea and South Korea, had established relations with Indonesia.
First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo invited the companions of the leaders of the G20 countries to see various cultural activities from a number of regions in the country at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Tuesday (15/11/2022).
In fact, Indonesia is one of the countries that has rare bilateral relations with the Korean Peninsula because it has diplomatic relations with both North and South Korea. In the era of president Sukarno, Indonesia had close relations with North Korea.
Until now, this relationship has been well maintained even though North Korea is currently being isolated by a number of countries, especially because of the nuclear issue. Meanwhile, in the region, Indonesia is one of the countries that advocates for nuclear disarmament, but does not impose sanctions on North Korea.
South Korea, which has a democratic political view, also has close relations with Indonesia. Seoul and Jakarta have a Special Strategic Partnership. In ASEAN, Indonesia is the only country that has close ties with South Korea.
With China, Indonesia now has a relationship that can be described as warm. During the tea banquet between First Lady Iriana and First Lady Peng there was a special performance, namely a choir singing the song "Bengawan Solo." The song was presented in Mandarin. Peng praised the performance.
First Lady Peng gave a ruan, a musical instrument that looks like a string instrument, with a round body and long handle.
The two first ladies then exchanged traditional musical instruments. First Lady Peng gave a ruan, a musical instrument that looks like a string instrument, with a round body and long handle.
First Lady Iriana gave a gift of the sasando from Rote Island. Incidentally, Peng Liyuan is a traditional Chinese singer and musician.
In terms of appearance, both Iriana and Peng are known to be fond of wearing traditional clothes. When entertaining Peng, Iriana wore a Balinese woven sarong and embroidered clothes in brackets complete with a shawl. Peng consistently wears a knee-length qipao dress. At the Spouse Program, she wore a red qipao and when having tea with Iriana, Peng wore a silvery gray qipao.
Indonesian diplomacy represented the same nuance carried out by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. When attending a ceremony for the launch of the Jakarta-Bandung fast train with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Jokowi called him "big brother." There is indeed criticism from various parties because the term "big brother" or da ge in Mandarin seems to place China above xiao di or "little brother."
To several leaders of other countries, Jokowi has his own nickname, for example "my senior" to United States President Joe Biden, or "brother" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The three of them have the same feel to it, namely brothers.
From a cultural perspective, there is a saying in Javanese, ngeli ning ora keli. Literally it can be translated as: go with the flow, but don't be carried away. Control remains in your own hands.
In international relations and associations, Indonesia—one might describe—always accepts the wishes of friendly countries. However, this is not the case. Take for example, during the G20 presidency there was a very strong pressure for Indonesia to expel Russia, but Indonesia had other options.
First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo stands on the podium welcoming the companions of leaders of G20 countries and international institutions as part of a series of activities at the G20 Summit at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Tuesday (15/11/2022).
With a personal approach and intensive communication with all partners at all levels in the G20, Indonesia was able to keep the forum intact. Not a single country was ignored. Even Ukraine, which is not a member of the G20, was accommodated.
All were given a place with honor. Rivalry, as President Jokowi said, is natural. However, Indonesia has a clear position, namely inviting every member of the G20 to save the forum so that it does not become a stumbling block for the world, which is currently being hit by various crises. This attitude implies Indonesia's self-confidence. Ngeli ning ora keli.
(This article was translated byHendarsyah Tarmizi)
