Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has acknowledged China's claims in the South China Sea, indicating a significant change in diplomatic stance.

In a joint statement with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the two nations have agreed to collaborate on the development of areas where their claims overlap, despite the lack of international legal validity for these claims.

This agreement suggests a potential partnership between Jakarta and Beijing in the resource-rich and disputed waters of the South China Sea.

China sees this move as a diplomatic triumph, as it aims to enhance its influence in the region while managing ongoing territorial disputes with neighboring countries.