Both Japan and China were left stranded on the platform Friday after Indonesia examined their two bids to build a high-speed rail link and nixed the project, saying it would build a medium-speed line instead. The line will link Jakarta with the West Java provincial capital of Bandung.

A Cabinet minister announced the decision late Thursday, after what were described as heated discussions of the bids submitted by Beijing and Tokyo.

It came after President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hinted earlier that day that the Chinese proposal, which did not require a financial guarantee by Jakarta, might have been chosen over Japan's. He cited financing concerns.