At White House, Indonesia’s new leader straddles US-China rivalry [Video]

white house — 

President Joe Biden and President Prabowo Subianto met Tuesday at the White House, marking the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Indonesia relations, part of a multination visit by the newly inaugurated leader of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

“I will work very hard to strengthen Indonesia and United States relationship,” said Prabowo, who goes by his first name.

Biden said he looks forward to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level among nontreaty allies, which the two countries signed in 2023. “That includes deepening our security cooperation,” he said before their meeting.

In brief remarks to the press, Biden twice raised an issue of concern for Washington: freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. He said he wanted to strengthen the U.S. partnership with Indonesia, “by advancing [a] free and open Indo-Pacific.”

“We’ll discuss, also, global challenges, including in Gaza and the South China Sea,” he said.

China’s nine-dash line

The White House meeting came days …