Indonesia's new leader Prabowo Subianto set off for China on Friday for his first international trip as president, kicking off a tour that will include stops in the United States, Britain, and South America for the APEC and G20 summits.

The new leader reiterated Indonesia’s non-alignment after signing US$10 billion in new deals in Beijing, now bound for talks in Washington.

The deals included a controversial agreement on economic activities in areas around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to maintain close ties with China during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, his first overseas stop since he took office three weeks ago.

Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto will visit China and the United States during a five-country trip just a few weeks after taking office, Kompas newspaper reported on Tuesday, signalling his intent to pursue an active role on the international stage.

After taking office last month, Prabowo Subianto, 73, is set to visit China, US, Peru, Brazil, Britain - Anadolu Ajansı

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto will set off on his first foreign tour next month, with stops in China and the United States, local media reported Tuesday, as the new leader seeks a more prominent position for Jakarta on the world stage.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Beijing on Saturday, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged to maintain close ties with China during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Saturday, his first overseas stop since he took office three weeks ago.