Jakarta, Dec. 4 -- Cabinet Secretary Teddy I. Wijaya said Thursday that "Rio," Indonesia's first-ever panda cub, has become a symbolic asset in the country's diplomatic engagement with China.

In a post on the Cabinet Secretariat's social media account, he said President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the newborn cub during a meeting with China's top political adviser, Wang Huning, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

"During his meeting with China's CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning, President Prabowo introduced Indonesia's first panda cub born at Taman Safari," Teddy told reporters in Jakarta.

He said Prabowo named the cub Satrio Wiratama, a phrase meaning "to fight with honor, courage, and noble character."

The name reflects bravery and virtue,...