Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. Prabowo is on a special trip to China to attend the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Beijing on Wednesday, who is on a special trip to China to attend the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Xi said on Wednesday that as major countries in the Global South, China and Indonesia should work together to oppose unilateral bullying, safeguard regional peace and stability, and uphold international fairness and justice.

Xi noted that President Prabowo has come to China to attend the commemorative events despite difficulties, showing the importance he attaches to China-Indonesia relations and the sincere friendship of the Indonesian people toward the Chinese people, according to Xinhua.

China supports President Prabowo's governance, Indonesia's restoration of order and stability as soon as possible, and the development and growth of Indonesia, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that no matter how the international situation changes, China and Indonesia have always carried forward the spirit of independence, adhered to the path of win-win cooperation, and demonstrated the responsibility of major countries for peaceful development, per Xinhua.

China is willing to work with Indonesia to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, and promote the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future at a high level, Xi said.

Xi stressed that the two sides should work to promote the stable and long-term development of bilateral relations and play an exemplary role in the region and even around the world, according to Xinhua.

Xi urged the two countries to expand two-way opening-up and enhance cooperation in critical minerals, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and agriculture and fishery.

China stands ready to share with Indonesia its experience in poverty eradication, facilitate personnel exchanges and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Xi said.

The relations with China are a high priority of Indonesia's foreign policy, Prabowo said, adding that the relations between the two countries are at their best in history, per Xinhua.

Indonesia looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in fields including trade, investment, finance and infrastructure, Prabowo said.

More than 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, joined Xi on Tiananmen Rostrum to watch the parade, per Xinhua. 

Prabowo's visit to China, despite domestic difficulties, highlights Indonesia's strong commitment to bilateral ties. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, and the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Jakarta sees participation in related events as essential, Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The trip further underscores the solid political foundation and mutual trust between China and Indonesia, reinforcing efforts to build a community with a shared future, said Xu. 

According to a report from Indonesian news agency Antara, Prabowo landed in Beijing at 4:15 am on Wednesday and arrived at Tiananmen Square just after 8 am for the parade. On the honorary platform, he was seated beside Russian President Russian President Putin.

Prabowo had earlier weighed canceling his China trip amid recent incidents at home. But State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said late on Tuesday that the president had decided to continue with the visit after concluding conditions had stabilized. "To maintain strong ties with China, the president agreed to travel tonight and return the next evening," Prasetyo said, per Antara. 

Attending China's V-Day commemorations is also important as Indonesia could use this multilateral platform to boost its global influence, engaging with major powers and highlighting its role as a key Global South member, Luo Yongkun, professor from Institute of International Relations of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. 

At the same time, Jakarta seeks to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Beijing, align with China's major initiatives and secure greater political and economic support to help address domestic challenges and promote stability, Luo said. 

China attaches great importance to relations with Indonesia. Looking forward, the two countries will deepen Belt and Road cooperation by advancing infrastructure and capacity projects, developing new growth areas in green and digital sectors, electric vehicles and critical minerals, and expanding people-to-people exchanges to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, the expert said.