China’s Economic Influence Entices Indonesians to Study Mandarin

Although ethnic Chinese can be found throughout Southeast Asia, tolerance of their presence varies widely in the region, from complete assimilation in Thailand to legal discrimination in Malaysia. Indonesia has had an uneasy relationship with the Chinese in the past, but that is changing rapidly as China expands its economic influence in the region. The rise of Mandarin-language classes in Indonesia is only one sign of this rapidly changing dynamic.

China’s Economic Influence Entices Indonesians to Study Mandarin - NYTimes.com

Global Brands Bet on Indonesia as Spending Booms

The world's fourth most populous nation, Indonesia has always held great promise as a potential market. Years of corruption, domestic unrest and grinding poverty have hindered economic development, but things are finally looking better for Indonesia. Ford opens a new dealer showroom every six weeks here, Heinz sales are up over 40% from last year, surpassing China's rate, and Unilever's March sales alone were up 17%, one of the company's fastest growth rates in the world.


Global Brands Bet on Indonesia as Spending Booms - WSJ.com