President Prabowo was invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Victory Day Parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. He was among the 26 heads of state and government invited.
According to Hadi, the Presidential Secretariat statement published on Saturday explained that Prabowo wants to remain in Indonesia to monitor the nationwide protests.
"Mr. President wants to observe conditions directly, to lead and seek the best resolution to the unrest. Hence, President Prabowo Subianto humbly apologised to the Chinese government for not being able to fulfil their invitation," Hadi stated.
Related news: President Prabowo among leaders invited to China's 80th Victory Parade
Hadi noted that Prabowo initially accepted the invitation from China because it coincides with the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly’s General Debate on September 23, where he is expected to address world leaders.
"The president received several invitations for agendas in September, including the annual UN General Assembly in New York," Hadi said.
"The invitation from the UN was considered by the president while deciding whether to accept the invitation from China," he added.
The Victory Day Parade in Beijing marks the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The parade will feature new-generation military assets, including fourth-generation tanks, advanced fighter jets, unmanned intelligent equipment, and hypersonic anti-ship missiles unveiled publicly for the first time.
However, since Friday, August 29, protests have spread across multiple Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, following the death of 21-year-old online motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a police vehicle during a protest near the Parliament Complex on Thursday (August 28).
Violence escalated after nightfall, with rioters damaging public facilities. Local parliament buildings were reportedly burnt in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara.
Related news: Prabowo advised not to conduct overseas visit amid nationwide protests
Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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