Beijing (ANTARA News) - The government of Indonesia and China have agreed to explore cooperation and possible exchanges of the Komodo dragon and Panda, said President Susilo Yudhoyono.

"The exchanges of Komodo dragons and pandas is now under further study," he said on the sidelines of his official state visit in Beijing on Saturday.

Stakeholders in Indonesia and China have agreed to come together for further discussions.

They are to conduct research and explore technical matters about the exchange concept, especially related to how the animals would respond to the weather in both countries.

"Hopefully the dragons will not be disturbed if they are put in a colder environment and the Panda's health would also not be disturbed during the Indonesian summer weather," he said.

Besides the Panda and Komodo dragon exchange, the President also mentioned about trade in swallow birds, electricity cooperation, natural gas cooperation, and plans for the establishment of Bank Mandiri`s office in Shanghai.

Earlier, the governments of Indonesia and China agreed to establish six areas of cooperation to improve the quality of friendship and prosperity in both countries.

The agreement was embodied in the signing of six memorandums of understanding which were witnessed by President Yudhoyono and President Hu Jintao at The Great House of the People in Beijing on Friday (March 23).

The sixth agreement covers cooperation in the maritime field, in Chinese citizens travelling to Indonesia, the development of a marine and climate centre, and for cooperation in the fields of combating narcotics, illicit substances and psychotropic substances.

There were also plans to establish cooperation in the field of external goods statistical data exchange, and archival cooperation between the Indonesian National Archives and State Archives Administration of China. 

(A050/INE)

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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