BEIJING — During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Saturday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing strong relations with China. This marks Subianto’s first international visit since taking office three weeks prior, and he is keen to bolster ties with China, which stands as Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a significant foreign investor. This trip is Subianto’s second to Beijing this year; his initial visit occurred in April as president-elect, right after he won the Indonesian presidential election in February.
In his discussions with Xi, Subianto emphasized the historic bond between the two nations, noting, “Indonesia views China not only as a great power but as a great civilization.” He attributed their longstanding ties to centuries of interaction, stating that in the current geopolitical and geoeconomic context, it is natural for Indonesia and China to foster such a close partnership across various sectors.
Expecting support for his administration, Xi expressed gratitude for Subianto’s choice to visit China first and remarked that he believes Indonesia will take an independent approach to development. He also highlighted expectations for the nation to achieve prosperity and rejuvenation, while playing a significant role on both international and regional platforms.
On the same day, Subianto engaged with other key Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, who is recognized as a prominent figure within the ruling Communist Party. This visit marks the beginning of a multi-country tour for Subianto, who will also travel to several other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This indicates that Indonesia plans to uphold its historical neutrality between major powers such as Beijing and Washington.
At 73 years of age, Subianto is a wealthy former general with connections to both the popular outgoing president of Indonesia and the country’s authoritarian past. He has cast himself as the successor to President Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s first leader emerging from outside the political and military elite. Subianto has committed to continuing the modernization efforts that characterized Widodo’s tenure, which propelled Indonesia into the middle-income country category through significant economic growth.
China’s economic interactions with Indonesia flourished during Widodo’s presidency, as China emerged as Indonesia’s top trading partner and invested heavily in critical infrastructure, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, which commenced operations last October, and the Cirata solar power project—Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar installation—situated on a reservoir in West Java, about 130 kilometers from Jakarta.
In his talks with Xi, Subianto stated that he aims to oversee the signing of agreements worth over $10 billion between Chinese companies and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This indicates a shift towards a more proactive foreign policy for Indonesia, especially considering Subianto’s engagement with over 20 countries while he was still president-elect. Shortly after his inauguration, Indonesia conveyed its interest in joining the BRICS group, which includes developing economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Indonesia’s leadership has managed to uphold a relatively neutral position in light of intensifying tensions between China and neighboring Southeast Asian countries concerning territorial disputes in the South China Sea. This contested area is claimed by multiple parties, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.
Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, the Philippines has strengthened its security ties with the United States, moving away from the more China-leaning stance held by former President Rodrigo Duterte. Tensions surged with China and the Philippines engaged in recurring maritime confrontations, raising concerns of an escalating conflict risking a direct confrontation between China and the U.S.
Although Indonesian leaders maintain there is no formal territorial conflict with China regarding the South China Sea, China’s “nine-dash line” intersects with a section of Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone extending from the Natuna Islands. Recently, Indonesian patrol vessels repeatedly intervened against a Chinese coast guard ship attempting to survey the disputed waters, indicating Jakarta’s increasing assertiveness over its maritime rights as Chinese vessels frequently operate in what Indonesia refers to as the North Natuna Sea, aggravating tensions in the region.