Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto arrived in Beijing, China, on Sunday to kick off his three-day visit that would pave the way for the two countries to strengthen their cooperation in the defense sector.
His arrival was welcomed by Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing's Deputy Chief of Mission Listyowati, Indonesian Defense Attache Brig.Gen.Kuat Budiman, and several staffers of the Indonesian Embassy.
Major General Song Yanchao from China's Directorate for International Military Cooperation, and several officials of China's Defense Ministry also welcomed Prabowo Subianto and members of the Indonesian Defense Ministry's delegation.
Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun told ANTARA that during his three-day visit, Prabowo Subianto would meet his counterpart, China's Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe, and Head of China's Central Military Commission General Xu Qiliang.
Prabowo would discuss the two countries' collective efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. "Indonesia and China have had sound cooperation in the defense sector at both bilateral and regional levels," he said.
China has even become one of Indonesia's partners in modernizing its defense system, Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun said.
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Related news: Indonesia-China hold defense consultation meeting During his first visit to China, Prabowo is also scheduled to visit the State Administration for Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND).
According to NTI.Org, "SASTIND is the premier civilian regulatory authority in China whose primary responsibilities include drafting guidelines, policies, laws and regulations related to science, technology and industry for national defense".
"Researching future weapon systems, scientific development of dual-use systems, and managing the exports of developed weaponry" are part of SASTIND's primary responsibilities.
In his visit to China, Prabowo is accompanied by several Defense Ministry's top officials and his advisers, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Suryo Prabowo.
Before going to China, Prabowo visited Turkey to strengthen the two countries' cooperation in defense industry.
At a recent limited meeting on programs and activities in the political, legal, and security fields, President Joko Widodo stressed the need for the government to make use of the budget in the defense sector to spur the development of the domestic strategic industry.
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Editor : Mahdani
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