Prabowo Subianto's unprecedented foreign trips as Indonesia's president-elect to China and Japan have sparked significant interest and speculation. These visits offer a glimpse into how Indonesia's future leader will navigate diplomatic relations with major powers and handle engagements within Southeast Asia.

Breaking from tradition, no previous Indonesian president-elect has ventured abroad formally before assuming office at Merdeka Palace. However, Prabowo's proactive approach has drawn attention, especially given the extensive coverage of his visits, notably his decision to prioritize China as his initial destination.

While analysts advise caution in interpreting these visits, they acknowledge that such actions, particularly the choice of destinations, may shed light on Indonesia's future foreign policy direction under Prabowo's leadership. Concurrently, they anticipate a continuation of Indonesia's diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asian countries, consistent with past administrations.

"I anticipate that Prabowo's first official visit after assuming office will be to neighboring ASEAN countries," noted Radityo Dharmaputra, a lecturer at Surabaya's Airlangga University.

China's invitation for Prabowo to visit less than two months after his electoral victory, followed by Japan's subsequent announcement, underscores the strategic significance of these engagements. The meetings reaffirmed bilateral ties and signaled commitments to enhance cooperation in various domains.

The media attention surrounding Prabowo's visits underscores their novelty, as no Indonesian president-elect has undertaken such journeys before. This departure from convention reflects Indonesia's lack of legal framework governing the authority and overseas visits of a president-elect.

Christine Susanna Tjhin, co-founder of Gentala Institute, explained that the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was a diplomatic courtesy extended to Prabowo, with discussions likely prearranged by Indonesia's Ministry of Defense.

Reflecting on China's emphasis on Prabowo's status as the incoming leader, analysts interpret this as a deliberate move by China to assert its regional influence, especially vis-à-vis the United States.

The framing of Prabowo's visit to China differs between the two nations, with China highlighting his status as Indonesia's future leader, while Indonesia emphasizes his role as Minister of Defense. This underscores China's strategic posturing and its efforts to ensure continuity in bilateral relations under the new administration.