Xi Jinping Supports President Prabowo, Agrees On Funding For Free Nutrition Eating Programs

President Xi Jinping and President Prabowo Subianto in Beijing, China (doc Setneg)

BEIJING - In a bilateral meeting that took place at the Beijing People's Center on Saturday 9 November, President Xi Jinping affirmed the full commitment of the Chinese government to support President Prabowo Subianto's government.

This support is realized through a funding agreement for the "Food Supplementation and School Feeding Program in Indonesia" program, which aims to support free nutritious eating programs in Indonesia.

"China firmly supports the President and believes that under Prabowo Subianto's strong leadership, Indonesia will continue to adhere to the path of self-development," Xi Jinping said at the meeting.

The Chinese president also emphasized his belief that President Prabowo will continue to lead Indonesia towards prosperity and national modernization.

Xi appreciated the smooth transition of Indonesian government and opened a new chapter in state development. He also mentioned that Prabowo's first state visit to China reflects the importance of relations between the two countries.

"After the official inauguration, you made your first state visit to China, fulfilling your promise to come to Beijing," Xi said.

On this occasion, President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia and China are the two main developing countries with a large economy that supports each other in efforts to fight for national development.

"Both countries always understand and support each other," he said.

This meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Indonesia and China, which were witnessed directly by the two presidents. In addition to funding for the free nutritious food program, the MoU covers seven other areas of cooperation.

The seven collaborations, namely, the fitosanitari requirement protocol for the export of fresh coconut fruit from Indonesia to China, guidelines for technical cooperation to promote sustainable capture fisheries, blue economy cooperation, cooperation in the management of natural resources green minerals and water resources, cooperation in assessing suitability for quality standards, and strengthening maritime security cooperation.

The MoU was signed by a number of Indonesian ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.

At the meeting of President Prabowo and Xi Jinping, the two countries also agreed on a Memorandum of Contract (MoC) regarding maritime security, which is expected to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and China in maintaining regional security and stability.