Xi Jinping Hopes China-Indonesia Gets Closer When Prabowo Leads

President Xi Jinping met with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the People's Agung Hall, Beijing on Monday (1/4/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Xinhua)

JAKARTA - President Xi Jinping hopes that relations between China and Indonesia can be closer in Prabowo Subianto's leadership.

"The world change has accelerated in the last century. China wants to maintain close relations with Indonesia and strengthen cooperation in the future," President Xi Jinping said in an official statement as published on the Chinese state media website as reported by ANTARA, Monday, April 1.

President Xi Jingping and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto's meeting took place at the People's Great Hall, Beijing on Monday which was also attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

President Xi Jinping invited Prabowo Subianto as defense minister and president-elect to make an official visit to China on March 31 - April 2, 2024. Prabowo's visit to China was his first foreign visit as president-elect.

"China and Indonesia must actively practice 'Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence', continue the spirit of unity, friendship, and cooperation as in the Bandung agreement, encourage equal world multipolarities and inclusive economic globalization," President Xi Jinping added in the statement.

President Xi Jinping also hopes that Indonesia during Prabowo Subianto's leadership can strengthen multilateral collaboration and maintain the common interests of developing countries.

"China wants to work with Indonesia to maintain ASEAN's unity and centrality, maintain an inclusive regional architecture, and build the Chinese-ASEAN community with a closer common future," the statement said.

"Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" consists of five principles, namely mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, not aggressiveness, not interfering in their respective domestic affairs, maintaining equality and mutually beneficial relations, and living side by side peacefully.

Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto at the meeting expressed his joy at making China the first country to be visited after being elected president.

"China is a big country with important influence," Prabowo said.

Prabowo in the statement said Indonesia and China also always respect and treat each other equally.

"I really admire the achievements of the Chinese people under President Xi Jinping's leadership, and I want to learn from the experience of the Chinese Communist Party and deepen the exchange of understanding in governance," Prabowo said.

The statement said Prabowo said China was a major partner of Indonesian cooperation.

In recent years, Chinese companies have actively participated in the economy and assisted in Indonesia's national development.

"I fully support the closer relationship between Indonesia and China. I am willing to continue President Joko Widodo's policy towards China by sticking to the independence and policy of 'One China' which the Indonesian government has always promoted," Prabowo added.

Prabowo is said to support the main interests of both Indonesia and China to encourage more comprehensive relations between the two countries and build communities with a common future for the two countries.

"The new Indonesian government is willing to actively encourage the development strategy of the two countries, cooperation in various fields including economy, trade and poverty alleviation," said Prabowo.

During the meeting, it was also discussed about the current condition of Palestine.

"I appreciate China's role in international issues, especially regarding Palestine. Indonesia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on international and regional issues and contribute greater in South-South cooperation," said Prabowo.