Prabowo’s China visit to focus on economic cooperation, not maritime issues: analysts

Analysts expect the Indonesian president’s trip will mark a shift from infrastructure to public welfare investment opportunities

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is unlikely to continue the relatively tough stance on the South China Sea that was a feature of his time as defence minister, observers said. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:02pm, 7 Nov 2024Updated: 5:08pm, 7 Nov 2024

Disputes in the South China Sea will not overshadow the top agenda item of economic cooperation during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Beijing on Friday – on his first overseas tour since last month’s inauguration – analysts said.

The 73-year-old ex-general’s visit could serve as an opportunity to push China-Indonesia relations to a new level, according to Beijing. Prabowo will be in China until Sunday and will meet his counterpart Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China was willing to work with Indonesia and “take this visit as an opportunity to consolidate high-level political mutual trust and deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation”.

Speaking at the ministry’s regular press briefing on Tuesday, Mao added that the two sides could “continuously elevate the construction of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future”.

This will be Prabowo’s second visit to China since he was confirmed as Indonesia’s president-elect. Days after his sweeping election victory was confirmed in March, Prabowo headed to Beijing.

Mao said this reflected the importance the Indonesian leader places on strengthening bilateral relations. She added that the visit also showed the high level of China-Indonesia ties and hailed Indonesia as China’s “good neighbour” and “partner”.