Dewi said that the vice president expressed the hope when he received Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie at his office here on Friday.
Liang Guanglie was accompanied by Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro during the meeting with the vice president.
"The vice president strongly supports increasing military cooperation, especially in the military officers exchange and cooperation in the military industry," the vice presidential staff said.
She said that in the report of Minister Yusgiantoro during the meeting, both countries had agreed to increase cooperation.
The two defense ministers were willing to set up a joint committee which would act as an umbrella to facilitate their cooperation in the defense field.
The also agreed to exchange officers` visits to respective military institutions and conduct a joint exercise for Sukhoi jet-fighter pilots.
"There is also a coordinated patrol, not a joint petrol such done by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, to increase maritime security," she said.
The vice president appreciated very much the Chinese defense minister`s visit, particularly because it was made at a time when Indonesia was the chair of ASEAN.
"This indicates that the defense relations between Indonesia and China and between China and ASEAN have become more and more increasing," she said.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
