Indonesia’s president calls for collaboration with China as new deals worth $10 billion are signed

BEIJING — Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto called for collaboration, rather than confrontation, with China, emphasizing peace and prosperity following the signing of $10 billion in new deals at a business forum in Beijing on Sunday.

Subianto, in his first overseas trip since taking office three weeks ago, told attendees that Indonesia seeks to be part of China’s rise as not just an economic power but also a “civilizational power.”

He stressed that, in the modern era, cooperation should replace confrontation as the path to global peace and prosperity.

“I’m convinced that collaboration, not confrontation, is the way forward,” Subianto said during his remarks.

The visit to China marks the first stop of Subianto’s trip, which will also take him to Washington, where tensions with China are intensifying, followed by Peru and Brazil for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Group of 20 summits.

Subianto and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Saturday, agreeing to deepen bilateral ties and elevate security to a fifth “pillar” of cooperation, alongside political, economic, maritime, and people-to-people exchanges.

A joint statement indicated that the two leaders plan to hold the first-ever meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in 2025.

Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia’s non-alignment stance, stating that the country has always been respectful of all global powers.

Indonesia has largely remained on the sidelines in territorial disputes between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea, although there have been recent tensions involving Chinese coast guard vessels in waters near Indonesian energy operations.

Chinese investment in Indonesia has been significant, particularly in the mining sector and infrastructure projects like the high-speed railway connecting Jakarta and Bandung, which opened last year.

However, Chinese imports, particularly low-priced garments, have harmed local manufacturers, leading to calls for import tariffs.

Subianto has sought to balance Indonesia’s economic interests with its diplomatic relationship with China, aiming to maintain strong ties while addressing domestic concerns. — Agencies