With wary eye, China courts Indonesia’s incoming leader Prabowo

News Snapshot:

JAKARTA – Soon after Indonesia’s incoming leader Prabowo Subianto won the February presidential election, the Chinese embassy in Jakarta sent him a cat tree and a stuffed toy for his beloved pet Bobby, according to the cat’s official Instagram page. It was part of a concerted charm offensive by China, the second-largest investor in Indonesia behind neighbour Singapore. Days after Mr Prabowo claimed victory in the election, China’s ambassador to Indonesia came to his home to congratulate him. And this week, Mr Prabowo travelled to Beijing at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. Analysts say China is courting Mr Prabowo...