Top leaders from the region attended this month’s military parade in Beijing in a ‘reminder’ to Washington that they have alternatives

Prabowo had earlier decided to cancel the trip because of widespread protests at home.

But he showed up for the parade in a grey suit on the morning of September 3, taking a seat at the rostrum beside Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who was to the right of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Sources said the Indonesian leader arrived only hours before the parade started and he had to stay in a different hotel from his team because the one designated for Asean delegations was so full that not a single room was left.

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