Another Muslim country follows the footsteps of Maldives, deals with China as soon as power changes.
The closeness between China and Indonesia has started increasing again. Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto reached China on his first foreign tour as soon as he took power. During this, a deal of 10 billion dollars was signed between the two countries on Sunday. Earlier, Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu also reached China for his first foreign tour after taking oath, but he realized the importance of India when he did not get any special help from China.
Talking about China and Indonesia, Beijing is the biggest trade partner of this country with the largest Muslim population. According to reports, China has also invested about 7 billion dollars in Indonesia. Indonesia, located in the Indo-Pacific region, is strategically very important for both India and China, which is why China started trying to bring Indonesia to its side as soon as the change of power took place.
Indonesian President's first foreign visit
In fact, as soon as the change of power took place in Indonesia, China started getting closer to President Prabowo Subianto. The first name to congratulate Prabowo was that of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Jinping had emphasized strengthening strategic relations with Indonesia. After which President Prabowo Subianto arrived on a two-day visit to Beijing.
Emphasis on strengthening relations with China
In a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both leaders stressed further strengthening mutual relations. According to a joint statement by the two heads of state, next year there will be a joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers for the first time between China and Indonesia.
Billion-dollar deal with China
At the end of his visit, President Prabowo wrote on the social media platform X that, "Indonesia and China are committed to strengthening mutual friendship and promoting the prosperity of both countries." Before leaving Beijing for Washington, Subianto chaired a meeting between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chinese corporations. During this, he signed agreements worth billions of dollars between the two countries in many areas including renewable energy, health, and food security.
According to state news agency Antara, President Subianto said at the Indonesia-China Business Forum meeting, "China's strong business share in Asia is an important element of the close cooperation between the two countries. I have met Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Prime Minister, in which we have agreed to take this cooperation forward between the two countries."
After China, eyes on America!
He said that in this modern time, we should set an example that the path to peace and prosperity is cooperation and not opposition to each other. According to reports, the most important priorities of the new President of Indonesia are economy and defense matters, due to which his overseas tour includes the two biggest economies China and America.
Indonesian political researcher Dr. Ahmad Rizki Mardhatillah Omar says that 'Prabowo is trying to maintain a balance between these two areas. On the one hand, he wants to strengthen China's trade and investment, while on the other hand, he is trying to improve defense relations with America for defense modernization.'
Prabowo has reached the US after completing his Beijing visit. After this, he will go to South America for the APEC and G20 summits, after which he will visit Britain and the Middle East.