JAKARTA: China’s top diplomat Wang Yi met Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his successor Prabowo Subianto on Thursday (Apr 18) as Beijing seeks to boost its regional influence.
The meetings come after Prabowo visited Beijing this month where Chinese President Xi Jinping praised relations with Jakarta, laying out a vision for regional peace as tensions rise between Beijing and other Southeast Asian neighbours – including the Philippines over the disputed South China Sea.
Indonesian defence minister Prabowo stormed to a first-round majority victory in Indonesia’s presidential election in February. He has voiced support for developing closer ties with Beijing.
Wang also met Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi earlier on Thursday before visiting Widodo, more popularly known as Jokowi, at the presidential palace and then Prabowo at the defence ministry.
Retno said Jokowi and Wang expressed their desire for regional peace and stability, and repeated calls for a de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
“Mr President emphasised no one would like to see any escalation,” she told reporters after the meeting.
“China’s and Indonesia’s position are the same on this issue and Mr President also conveyed his belief that China would also use its influence to prevent escalation.”
