The recent overseas visits by Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto have attracted significant attention from the media. This marks the first time an Indonesian president-elect has made formal overseas visits, which is a departure from previous presidents who did not make such visits. Dr. Christine Tjhin from the Gentala Institute pointed out that there is no legal regulation in Indonesia regarding the authority and overseas visits of a president-elect. She highlighted that the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was a diplomatic gesture extended to Mr. Prabowo, who had long-standing plans to visit Beijing. The official visits and foreign policy direction of Mr. Prabowo will be more indicative of his approach to international relations.
Mr. Radityo also suggested that the visit to China may have been planned before Mr. Prabowo’s presidential victory, emphasizing Indonesia’s importance in the region as a strategic partner for China. The relations between China and Indonesia were showcased differently by each country. China’s foreign ministry referred to Mr. Prabowo as the “president-elect of Indonesia”, while Indonesia’s defence ministry described him as “Minister of Defence” when announcing the visit. China’s emphasis on Mr. Prabowo as Indonesia’s next leader is seen as a deliberate move to position themselves as a key partner in the region, especially in the face of competition from the United States for influence.
The strategic significance of the visit by Mr. Prabowo to China was highlighted by President Xi himself, who noted that this visit was Mr. Prabowo’s first post-election visit and was made during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. China’s efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense affairs, were emphasized during the visit. International law professor Hikmahanto Juwana pointed out that China’s quick engagement with Mr. Prabowo sends a message of continuity in their diplomatic and economic partnership with Indonesia. The growing trade and investment between China and Indonesia, with two-way trade reaching US$150 billion and Chinese investment at US$8.2 billion in 2022, underline the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
Despite the media buzz surrounding Mr. Prabowo’s overseas visits, analysts have cautioned against reading too much into these events. The lack of legal regulations on the authority and overseas visits of a president-elect in Indonesia means that these visits may not necessarily reflect the foreign policy direction of the incoming president. The formalization of key ministerial positions and official state visits after Mr. Prabowo’s inauguration will provide more concrete insights into his approach to international relations. The strategic importance of Indonesia in the region, particularly as a key partner for China, reinforces the need for continued engagement and cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including trade, investment, and defense affairs.
Overall, the visits by Mr. Prabowo to China have sparked discussions about the evolving dynamics in the region and the strategic relationships between countries in Southeast Asia. China’s proactive engagement with Mr. Prabowo as Indonesia’s next leader highlights the importance they place on maintaining and deepening their partnership with Indonesia. The focus on bilateral cooperation in defense affairs underscores the growing strategic ties between China and Indonesia, as highlighted by the significant trade and investment flows between the two countries. The upcoming formation of key ministerial positions and official state visits post-inauguration will provide more clarity on Mr. Prabowo’s foreign policy direction and the future of Indonesia’s international relations under his leadership.
