TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Prabowo, who is also the President-elect of Indonesia, said his visit was intended to strengthen cooperation between China and Indonesia.

"We see the complementary relationship between China and Indonesia is a reality that we are very grateful for, for the friendship and trust in us," Prabowo in a written statement.

In a separate statement, Li appreciated Prabowo's visit, which he believed demonstrated the profound friendship between China and Indonesia. China is ready to work with Indonesia to encourage progress between the two countries with various concrete steps at regional and global levels.

He said his country is also willing to pursue more win-win outcomes that benefit both Indonesia and China. "The two sides should further enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's development strategies, [and] accelerate the construction of key projects," Li was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Li also said both countries need to deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; expand cooperation in high-tech and emerging industries; and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas related to people's livelihoods.

On the global scale, Li said China is ready to strengthen multilateral relations with Indonesia, including within the scope of East Asia and the United Nations (UN).

Prabowo and Li's meeting came after the Gerindra's chairman met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, April 1, 2024. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad of the Gerindra Party explained that Prabowo visited China to fulfill an invitation by the Chinese Ministry of Defense that had been sent before the presidential election.

"The series of visits to China, Japan, and Kuala Lumpur were invitations from the respective Ministry of Defense that were somewhat delayed due to the presidential election," Dasco told Tempo via text message on Tuesday.

Dasco explained that initially, Prabowo was only going to fulfill the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Defense. However, before leaving for China, President Xi Jinping invited Prabowo to meet with him.

DANIEL A. FAJRI | YOHANES MAHARSO

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