Articles
Q&A: Indonesian, Chinese Nickel Workers Struggle With Racial Tension, But Must Tread Path to Solidarity
This year opened with a clash that erupted between Indonesian and Chinese workers at Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI), a Chinese-owned nickel processing plant in...
Indonesia’s EV Ambition May Be Underestimating Some Challenges. Relying On China Won’t Be Enough
Indonesia is on a quest to build an end-to-end electric vehicle (EV) industry.
Prabowo Subianto Set to Win Indonesia Presidency, Relations With China, U.S. Expected to Remain Stable
The clouds still hadn’t left the sky on Wednesday morning in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta, where millions were preparing to elect their new president and...
Chinese EV Brands’ Push In Indonesia Intensifies. Can They Help Boost Slow Adoption?
The roads in Jakarta are looking a little different lately.
China’s Wuling Electrifies Indonesia’s EV Market, but Can the Spark Last?
Chinese electric vehicle maker Wuling is reaping what it sowed almost eight years ago in Indonesia — the largest and most lucrative auto market in Southeast Asi...
China’s BYD Takes Pole Position in Thailand, Southeast Asia’s Largest EV Market
Chinese electric vehicle brand BYD has been taking over Thailand by storm.
Can “Strongman” Prabowo Subianto Take Indonesia’s Nickel Dream Away From China’s Orbit?
Prabowo Subianto, an ex-military commander and former son-in-law of Indonesian dictator Suharto, is finally on his way to the presidency.
Indonesia 2024 Election: VP Candidate Bizarrely Frames “Anti-Nickel” as Supporting China
In Indonesia’s second vice presidential debate, Gibran Rakabuming — the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and running mate of Prabowo Subianto — trie...
TRANSLATION: Deaths, Work Accidents, Busting Unions, Criminalization: The Fate of Indonesian and Chinese Workers in the Gunbuster Nickel Industry
The following is a summary translation of an article on Project Multatuli, written by journalist Permata Adinda, on the plights of nickel workers at Chinese-own...
Videos
Why Is Indonesia’s Nickel Dirty?
We constantly hear devastating stories about deforestation, the blue sea water that turns brown and contaminated, people being forced to leave their homes, and workers dying in accidents — all happening within Indonesia's nickel industrial complexes. CGSP’s video contributor Joan Rumengan explains why Indonesia is often called the producer of “dirty nickel”.
Nickel Sustainability: What Can Indonesia and China Do Better?
Does Indonesia's nickel have to be used for batteries? What can we do to reduce demand for raw materials in the first place?
Which EV Car Battery is the Best? LFP or NCM Batteries?
You’ve probably heard about LFP batteries, the nickel-free battery alternative being developed for electric vehicles.
Indonesia-China's Nickel Cooperation Tainted By Deforestation, Land Grabbing
The nickel industry is one of the largest drivers of deforestation around the world today.
Indonesian Nickel Workers Are Fighting Back
Poor health and safety standards in Indonesia's nickel industries are pushing workers to find ways to get their concerns heard.
Interviews
Q&A: Indonesia’s EV Success Now Hinges on U.S. & EU. Will Indonesia Be Forced to Pull Away From China?
In November last year, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with United States President Joe Biden to talk trade and investment.
Q&A: Indonesian, Chinese Nickel Workers Struggle With Racial Tension, But Must Tread Path to Solidarity
This year opened with a clash that erupted between Indonesian and Chinese workers at Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI), a Chinese-owned nickel processing plant in...
Q&A: Chinese-Dominated EV Supply Chains in Southeast Asia Grapple With Abuses
Since the 2010s, China has moved swiftly to secure mineral resources around the world to feed its gigantic electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing industry.
Photo Stories
Photo Essay: Why Thais Prefer Chinese EVs
As the world races to phase out fossil fuels and transition to cleaner energy sources, transportation—like many other industries—is reinventing itself with elec...
Deadly Fire at Chinese-Owned Nickel Smelter in Indonesia Reveals Stubborn Pattern of Workers’ Safety’s Neglect
Photography by Mas Agung Wilis Yudha Baskoro & Muhammad Fadli I first saw the news of the big fire on Instagram.
Podcasts
Key Lessons From Indonesia’s China-Backed Mining & Infrastructure Ventures
Indonesia is a pioneer among developing countries for its efforts in moving up the EV battery metal value chain.
China-Indonesia Ties in the New Prabowo Subianto Era
They're still counting the votes in Indonesia after last week's election but it's all but certain that Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will become the country...
China and the Indonesia Nickel Trade: Measuring the True Labor and Environmental Cost
A lot of EV consumers bought new battery-powered cars in the hope it would be better for the environment than a vehicle with a conventional internal combustion ...