Prabowo And Chinese Defense Minister Discuss Increasing Military Cooperation

Prabowo Subianto/DOC ANTARA

BEIJING - Defense Minister, Prabowo Subianto, and Chinese National Defense Minister, Wei Fenghe, held a virtual meeting to discuss increasing military cooperation between the two countries.

Indonesia and China are friendly neighbors in times of joy and sorrow, Prabowo said as quoted on the official website of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) as reported by Antara, Wednesday, December 1.

The Indonesian military wants to increase cooperation with the Chinese military, continued the former Commander General of the TNI Special Forces Command (Kopassus).

In addition, Prabowo also hopes for mutual coordination between the militaries of the two countries, such as joint military exercises and personnel training.

Prabowo also expressed his gratitude to China for the assistance provided to his country in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wei on the occasion acknowledged that China and Indonesia have increased cooperation in various fields.

The two countries, according to the three-star general, should have resisted the hegemony and mentality of the Cold War.

China and Indonesia should also be able to properly address issues and maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific region, Wei said.

He also stated the readiness of the Chinese military to strengthen cooperation and strengthen communication with the Indonesian military.

According to Wei, the Chinese military is ready to cooperate more closely in handling the pandemic and encouraging further military development in the two countries.

The two defense ministers also exchanged views on domestic, regional, and international situations of mutual concern.

The virtual meeting was also attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun and the Defense Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, First Marshal of the TNI, Bayu Hendra Permana.