INDONESIAN President Prabowo Subianto has proceeded with a high-level visit to China despite a wave of deadly protests at home, attending a military parade in Beijing on 3 September to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
AFP reported on Wednesday that the visit comes days after Prabowo cancelled his initial travel plans following nationwide demonstrations sparked by the awarding of lavish perks to lawmakers. The unrest, which left at least six people dead, was further fuelled by the death of a young delivery rider, triggering public outrage.
Following mounting pressure, the president revoked some of the perks, while the government deployed military forces to Jakarta on 1 September in a show of strength that helped restore order. Protests have since diminished in size and intensity.
State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that Prabowo departed for China on the evening of 2 September and was expected to return the following day.
“Today he monitored the situation and received reports from all relevant officials that public life was gradually returning to normal,” said Prasetyo.
During the visit, Prabowo is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who invited him to the commemorative parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. More than 25 world leaders, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, are in attendance for the event, which features military flypasts, precision marches, and displays of advanced combat technology.
The parade commemorates China’s resistance against imperial Japan during the 1930s and 40s, which later formed part of the broader global conflict following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Indonesia, which adheres to a non-aligned foreign policy, maintains strong relations with both Washington and Beijing. However, Prabowo has signalled an intent to deepen bilateral ties with China, particularly in the area of defence cooperation. - Sept 3, 2025
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