Beijing | China and Indonesia have signed business deals totalling more than $US10 billion ($15.1 billion) and agreed to strengthen co-operation in lithium batteries and other key sectors, after President Prabowo Subianto met counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing during a state visit.

Mr Prabowo, on his first foreign trip since his inauguration last month, said the relationship between China and Indonesia was getting “stronger and stronger,” according to a report of their weekend welcoming ceremony. Mr Xi said Mr Prabowo’s decision to visit China first was a reflection of the Indonesian leader’s emphasis on developing ties between the two sides.

Bloomberg, Reuters and AP