Prabowo Seeks to Balance Ties with China and the West as President

Prabowo's visits to China and Japan seen as major diplomatic success signaling his future foreign policy goals of strengthening defense ties with the West while maintaining economic partnership with Beijing.

In Japan, Prabowo discussed enhancing security cooperation, OECD accession for Indonesia, and regional issues like South China Sea tensions.

In China, Prabowo emphasized continuing current President Jokowi's policies and support for closer China-Indonesia ties.

Balancing act shows Prabowo wants balanced relations with all major powers like China, Japan and the U.S.

Visiting China first indicates Prabowo assuring Beijing given his past closer Western ties, before visits expected to U.S. and its key Asian allies after taking office.