Argentine President Milei held a tough stance towards China during his campaign, even stating that he would “cut ties” with the country.
However, he has now actively proposed a visit to China, a change that has attracted widespread attention.
At the same time, Indonesia's new President Prabowo, following a successful visit to China previously, has recently announced another visit.
Faced with pressure from the United States and the geopolitical dynamics among global powers, why are these two leaders turning their gaze towards the East?
What strategic considerations are hidden behind their visits to China?
Prabowo's return to China clearly indicates a different purpose compared to past visits.
This is not a simple visit but one undertaken with clear tasks and goals.
During his last visit to China, Prabowo broke with tradition by choosing China as his first destination, an unprecedented move in Indonesian history.
In his view, this is not only a political choice but a practical necessity.
The core task of this visit is to promote the construction of a giant flood control project.
This project aims to connect Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, with Surabaya, establishing a large dam to prevent flooding in coastal areas.
As a country composed of numerous islands, Indonesia faces various natural disaster threats every year, with flooding being a major concern for their economy and livelihoods.
Thus, this flood control project is not merely about building infrastructure; it is a significant boost to the region's economic development.
China's extensive experience and technical strength in large infrastructure projects make it an ideal partner for Indonesia.
Prabowo is very aware of this; he understands that completing such a massive project cannot rely solely on Indonesia's own capabilities.
Despite some progress in infrastructure development in recent years, implementing a project of this scale still requires China’s assistance and support.
Moreover, China has completed many similar water conservancy projects globally, accumulating rich experience, which gives Prabowo great confidence.
It's worth mentioning that Prabowo's cooperation with China is not a first.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail is a successful example of cooperation between China and Indonesia, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities.
Since the high-speed rail began operations, tickets have been selling out almost daily, receiving enthusiastic public support.
Through this visit, Prabowo hopes to leverage China’s technological capabilities to advance more infrastructure projects, aiding Indonesia's modernization process.
Another deeper purpose of this visit is to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Indonesia is currently in a critical phase of rapid infrastructure development, requiring substantial investment and technical support in transportation, energy, and port sectors, areas where China has ample experience and capability.
Prabowo hopes to identify more cooperative projects during this visit to provide robust support for Indonesia’s modernization efforts.
In today's complex international landscape, Indonesia does not wish to take sides between China and the U.S., but rather aims to maintain a flexible balance between the two.
Prabowo's visit is aimed at securing greater flexibility and benefits for Indonesia.
For China, this is also an opportunity to further expand its influence in Southeast Asia, and the partnership between the two countries will undoubtedly become closer after this visit.
Meanwhile, Argentine President Milei's plan to visit China is equally noteworthy.
This president, who previously took a tough stance towards China during his campaign, is now actively seeking cooperation, a surprising shift.
A closer analysis reveals that Milei’s anti-China rhetoric was largely politically motivated, and as a national leader, he must confront reality, especially given Argentina's current economic difficulties, leaving him with no choice.
Argentina's economic situation is quite severe; Milei’s proposed “shock therapy” has not successfully revived the economy, but has instead exacerbated public dissatisfaction, leading to increasing national turmoil.
Initially hopeful for aid from the United States, he discovered that the U.S. promises did not bring substantial help.
In this context, Milei must seek a path that can genuinely help Argentina navigate its crisis, and China is undoubtedly an important option that cannot be ignored.
Argentina and China have strong economic complementarities, with Argentina's rich natural resources, particularly agricultural products and lithium, being in urgent demand by the Chinese market.
China is not only an important trade partner for Argentina but can also provide substantial assistance in infrastructure development and financial support.
Notably, the currency swap agreement between the two countries has alleviated part of Argentina's debt crisis, providing timely aid.
Therefore, Milei’s proactive visit to China is not surprising.
His most important purpose is to find practical paths for Argentina to overcome its economic difficulties.
This visit aims not only to relieve current economic pressures but also to explore new opportunities for Argentina's future development.
This shift also brings an intuitive revelation: politically, slogans and positions may sometimes just serve to win votes, but facing issues pragmatically is key when in office.
Milei's visit to China is not only an important choice for Argentina in the global game but also marks his genuine prioritization of national interests as president, adjusting previous diplomatic routes.
The future trade, investment, and cooperation between China and Argentina will undoubtedly reach new heights.
Ultimately, national interests are paramount, and pragmatic cooperation is far more meaningful than simply choosing sides.
In light of the complex international situation, both Indonesia and Argentina have chosen to seize the opportunity to cooperate with China to achieve mutually beneficial development.
This choice not only meets the actual needs of both countries but also provides a rational reference for other nations in the current climate.
By establishing close cooperative relationships with a major economic power like China, Indonesia and Argentina hope to gain greater developmental space on the international stage, thereby achieving their long-term national interests and sustainable development.
In this challenging era, finding the right position amid great power competition and effectively utilizing existing resources and cooperative opportunities are issues every country must contemplate deeply.
By strengthening cooperation with China, countries can not only enhance their developmental potential but also gain an advantage in international competition.
With the active interactions of the two leaders, it is foreseeable that future China-Argentina relations will become closer, bringing new opportunities and challenges for the economic development of both nations.
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