Indonesian leader Prabowo Subinato urged to join China in leading Global South

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said Indonesia should join Beijing in leading the Global South as the country’s new leader Prabowo Subinato visited the country this weekend.

“As large developing countries and key members of the Global South, China and Indonesia should jointly promote Asian values centred on peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration,” Xi said.

“[China and Indonesia should] lead the Global South in solidarity and self-improvement, and promote the development of global governance in a more just and rational direction”.

Prabowo, who was making his first trip abroad since being sworn in last month, said Indonesia was committed to a “non-aligned foreign policy” and did not want to “ join any military alliance or coterie against third parties”.

The leader of the world’s largest Muslim-majority country also thanked China for its position on the war in the Middle East, saying Beijing “upholds justice and righteousness”, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

He also met Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, the country’s No.3 official, during his visit.

Xi and Prabowo also vowed to further strengthen economic cooperation. Xi emphasised the digital economy, advanced manufacturing, and recycling as well as the Belt and Road Initiative, his transcontinental infrastructure project.