Indonesian Defense Minister Visits Chinese Defense Industries

Beijing (Antara Bali) - Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu visited several Chinese defense industries on Wednesday morning as part of his visit to China that is aimed at forging defense cooperation between the two countries.

Ryamizard visited China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) that produces high-technology military and defense equipment and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).

Indonesia and China have forged defense cooperation since they established a bilateral consultation forum in the defense field in 2007 as part of the strategic partnership declaration agreed upon on April 25, 2005. The two countries agreed to form a comprehensive partnership in October 2013.

As part of cooperation in the defense industry, the Indonesian Defense Ministry and the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence of the Peoples Republic of China (SASTIND) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 22, 2011.

The MoU covers the procurement of military equipment in certain fields based on government-to-government mechanism.

Under the MoU, they also agreed to transfer of technology for certain military equipment encompassing assembling, testing, maintenance, modification, upgrading, and training.

After visiting the Chinese defense industries, Ryamizard paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Committee Fan Changlong. He is also scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan on Thursday (Oct. 15).

While in China, he will also visit the Chinese Special Police Station and attend the China-ASEAN Defense Ministers Informal Meeting on October 15-16 and the sixth Xiangshan Forum on October 16-18.(WDY)