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Indonesia's New President Prabowo Subianto Visits China After Inauguration, Meets Xi Amid Shifting Ties

Nov 9, 2024, 10:25 AM

Indonesia's newly elected President, Prabowo Subianto, has embarked on his first overseas trip since taking office in March, choosing China as his initial destination. Shortly after his inauguration, he visited Beijing on Saturday, where President Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony and the two leaders held talks to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and military ties. This visit marks a significant point in the decades-long effort to rebuild relations between Indonesia and China. Prabowo's decision to visit China first, following Indonesia's recent entry into the BRICS bloc, has raised concerns among American diplomats about a potential shift in Indonesia's traditionally non-aligned foreign policy. After China, Prabowo is scheduled to visit Washington and possibly Florida, prompting questions about whether he will align more closely with China or the United States.