Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto told Chinese President Xi Jinping that China is a key partner of Indonesia to maintain stability and preserve peace in the region.
Therefore, Prabowo to President Xi emphasized his commitment to continue strengthening the existing partnership between Indonesia and China.
“Regarding defense cooperation, I see China as one of the key partners in ensuring regional peace and stability. I am also committed to meeting Indonesia’s defense equipment needs, including increasing defense industry cooperation and productive dialogue, as well as inter-dimensional cooperation,” Prabowo told President Xi when the two met at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China, Monday.
During the meeting, which was Prabowo’s first overseas trip after being confirmed by the Indonesian KPU as the elected presidential candidate, Prabowo also expressed his gratitude for President Xi’s warm welcome to him.
Prabowo also forwarded warm greetings from Indonesian President Joko Widodo to President Xi.
“I would like to express my appreciation for the warm welcome to me and my delegation. Let me also forward warm greetings from President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo,” Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said.
During the meeting, Prabowo also expressed his hope that there would be concrete steps forward to follow up on the action plan to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China.
President Xi, in the same meeting, emphasized China’s commitment to enhance comprehensive strategic cooperation with Indonesia.
He said China is determined to strengthen cooperation in various fields with Indonesia, including in the defense, economic and security sectors.
President Xi stated that China is ready together with Indonesia to contribute positively to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world.
He said cooperation between Indonesia and China is needed in maintaining maritime security in Southeast Asia.
China, President Xi said, is also ready to enhance partnership specifically in the maritime sector with Indonesia.
He also said China is committed to helping countries in Southeast Asia, especially those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to eradicate poverty, support development, and improve welfare for the people of countries in the region.
Prabowo is scheduled to visit China until Tuesday (2/4). During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun on Tuesday.
In China, Prabowo was accompanied by his son, Ragowo Hediprasetyo, and a number of officials. The government and House of Representatives officials who accompanied Prabowo to China were Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Sugiono, Special Assistant to the Minister of Defense for Defense Management Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) Lt. Gen. Yudi Abrimantyo, Director General of Defense Strategy of the Ministry of Defense Major General Bambang Trisnohadi, Director General of Defense Plans of the Ministry of Defense Rear Admiral Supo Dwi Diantara, and Head of the Defense Facilities Agency of the Ministry of Defense Air Marshal Yusuf Jauhari.
There was also an aide (ADC) to the Defense Minister, Major Inf. Teddy Indra Wijaya, who escorted Prabowo’s activities while in China.