Southeast Asian countries to send high-level dignitaries, including Prabowo and Anwar Ibrahim, as guests of honour at China's September 3 military parade

Southeast Asian leaders, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, are reportedly expected to attend China's military parade in Beijing on 3 Sep. Dylan Loh, assistant professor of public policy and global affairs at NTU, told Lianhe Zaobao in an interview that China's national strength and regional influence have significantly increased compared to 10 years ago, and Chinese leaders attach great importance to the parade. The countries' selection of higher-level representatives is primarily a display of courtesy toward China and a way to “give China face.” He expects that Beijing will use this occasion to convey to the international community that China is a major power capable of competing with the United States and achieving peaceful rise, while also taking the opportunity to showcase the achievements of China's military modernisation.

Click here to read the article.