BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Indonesian counterpart that Beijing hopes for a "new chapter" in bilateral relations, as the two leaders met on Saturday. Xi held talks with President Prabowo Subianto in Beijing, the first stop of the Indonesian leader's inaugural foreign tour since he took office in October. China is keen to work with Indonesia to "write a new chapter of joint self-reliance, solidarity and cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results as major developing countries", Xi told Prabowo in front of journalists. Beijing and Jakarta are key economic allies, with Chinese companies ploughing money into extracting Indonesian natural resources in recent years, particularly the nickel sector.
Prabowo said that the relationship between the two countries was "getting stronger and stronger". "I would like to reiterate our commitment... to work together for the mutual benefit of our two peoples and for the prosperity, peace and stability of all of Asia," he added. Xi held a welcome ceremony for Prabowo at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Saturday.
After their talks, officials from the two countries signed a series of documents including memorandums of understanding on maritime safety and water resources cooperation. Prabowo, who landed in China on Friday, is also meeting Premier Li Qiang and number three official Zhao Leji during his trip. He will travel onwards to Washington, at the invitation of US President Joe Biden, as part of a world tour which will also include Peru, Brazil and Britain.
Prabowo Subianto, a 73-year-old ex-general inaugurated last month, has pledged to position Jakarta more prominently on the world stage while sticking to its traditional non-aligned foreign policy. Before departing, Prabowo said he would first visit Beijing, where he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, then travel to Washington at the invitation of US President Joe Biden. The trip will include visits to Peru for the APEC summit and Brazil for the G20 summit of major economies, before ending in Britain, where he will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he said.
"I believe this demonstrates the high regard in which Indonesia is held and the importance of inviting Indonesia to participate in bilateral and multilateral meetings," Prabowo said, according to broadcaster Kompas TV. "This is an honour for us, and we will maintain good relations with all parties." He said he "may visit several Middle Eastern countries" on his way back to Indonesia at the end of the two-week tour.
It is unclear if his Washington visit will include a meeting with Trump, but Prabowo's presidential spokesman Hasan Nasbi said on Thursday that "there is a possibility" talks with him were on the table. Prabowo has promised to be bolder on foreign policy than his predecessor Joko Widodo, who focused more on domestic issues such as the economy. Beijing and Jakarta are key economic allies, with Chinese companies ploughing money into extracting Indonesian natural resources in recent years, particularly the nickel sector. But last month, Indonesia drove a Chinese coast guard ship from contested waters in the Sea of China three times. The incidents were an early test for Prabowo, who has pledged to bolster the defence of Indonesian territory. — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
