"What are you studying (here)?" Prabowo asked one of the Indonesians who greeted him on Friday evening outside the hotel where he will be staying during his visit.
"I'm learning to make violins," replied Patricia Benita, a master's student at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
"Study well, okay," Prabowo encouraged her.
In another group, an Indonesian student called out, "Mr. President, please take a photo with us, Sir!"
Prabowo happily posed for a selfie with the student.
Despite the cool 11-degree Celsius weather in Beijing, the students enthusiastically waved small Indonesian flags to greet Prabowo.
Inside the hotel, several ministers and staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing welcomed the President.
They included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani.
Several Indonesian businesspeople, including Prabowo's younger brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, were also present to welcome him.
President Prabowo arrived at Beijing International Airport around 6:25 p.m. local time on a private Boeing 737 aircraft.
During his visit, he is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, chair of the National People's Congress, on Saturday.
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Translator: Desca Lidya Natalia, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Anton Santoso
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