China, Indonesia eye for closer military links
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Xinhua, January 16, 2012
Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said on Monday that China wants to work with Indonesia to further strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' militaries.
Liang made the remarks when meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to China Imron Cotan in Beijing.
Liang said in recent years, Chinese and Indonesian militaries have continued to achieve results in the cooperative areas of high-level contact, defense consultation, exchange of visits, personnel training, equipment, joint training, maritime security and multilateral security.
Liang said China is ready to advance the strategic partnership with Indonesia for the peace and development of the region and the world.
Imron Cotan said Indonesia wanted to strengthen strategic communication and expand bilateral defense cooperation with China so to improve bilateral ties and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
He said Indonesia regards working with China as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
The two militaries have kept frequent contact through bilateral and multilateral channels. Liang paid an official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro last May. The two defense ministers also met on the sidelines of the First ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Hanoi, Vietnam, in October, 2010.
