Prabowo hails China ties as key to peace, prosperity in S-E Asia

Indonesia signs MOUs in banking, tourism, other areas during Chinese Premier's visit

- Arlina Arshad

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has hailed Indonesia's deepening ties with China as a pillar of peace and prosperity in the South-east Asia region, as he welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Jakarta for a three-day working visit.

"Our two countries each have a long history, and now we have become partners who have a comprehensive strategic relationship. We see that this relationship will bring good, not only to our two countries, but to the entire Asian region, and perhaps even the world," Mr Prabowo said at the start of a meeting between delegations from the two countries at the presidential palace on May 25.

"Indonesia and China have a great responsibility to create a safe and prosperous region," he added.

Mr Prabowo said Indonesia will continue to support and accelerate the completion of Code of Conduct negotiations that aim to manage tensions and prevent conflict in the South China Sea.

The Indonesian President called China "a decisive partner in this effort".

Several Asean member states have overlapping territorial claims with China in the disputed waterway.

Mr Li's visit — his first to Indonesia since Mr Prabowo took office in October 2024 — is geared towards deepening bilateral cooperation and sustaining the momentum of high-level engagements.

Mr Prabowo met Chinese President Xi Jinping twice in 2024 and received a phone call from him in April.

At the palace, Mr Li was accorded a 19-gun salute, held a one-on-one meeting with Mr Prabowo, and was hosted to a state lunch.