Meeting President Xi Jinping, TKN Confirms Prabowo's Visit to China as Minister of Defense

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Minister of Defense and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Di Jinping. Prabowo flew to the bamboo curtain country to fulfill Xi Jinping's invitation after sending congratulations on his victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Instead of being Indonesia's 8th presidential candidate, TKN Prabowo-Gibran emphasized Prabowo Subianto's visit to China in his capacity as Minister of Defense.

"(Prabowo went to China, ed.) In his capacity as Minister of Defense, he was invited," said TKN Prabowo-Gibran spokesperson, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, Monday, April 1.

The head of the Democratic Party's Bakomstra said that Prabowo's visit to China was in order to strengthen cooperative relations between Indonesia and the PRC, especially in the defense sector.

"Part of the two countries' ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic dialogue and cooperation which is very important for regional security and stability," said Herzaky.

It is known that Prabowo Subianto has arrived in Beijing, China since Sunday, March 31. The plan is for Prabowo to hold a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping this afternoon, Monday, April 1, local time.

Followed by a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Tuesday, April 2.

For information, Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to his country. In the invitation, the Beijing Foreign Ministry explained the reasons.

In an official statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prabowo Subianto as president-elect will meet with Prime Minister Li Qiang.

"They will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian, quoted on the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday, March 31.

China also believes Prabowo's visit is a great opportunity to improve China-Indonesia friendship. He said Prabowo and Xi would discuss various important issues.

"Pak Prabowo's visit to China will be his first overseas visit as President-elect," said Lin Jian.

"This fully demonstrates the strength of China-Indonesia relations. This visit is a great opportunity to further enhance traditional friendship, deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, and better synergize development strategies to set a good example of developing countries embracing the future together and work in solidarity for shared development and become a source of stability and strength for shared development both in this region and beyond," said Lin.