DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Indonesia, China discuss soldier exchange and defense cooperation

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, in Jakarta to enhance defense cooperation.
  • The two nations agreed to boost collaboration through joint military training, educational initiatives, and personnel exchanges.
  • Both ministers emphasized shared interests in regional security and economic growth, pledging to work together on defense modernization.

Indonesia and China are set to deepen their defense ties, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in personnel capabilities and joint military activities. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, met in Jakarta on Friday to outline a new roadmap for bilateral defense engagement.

We agreed to enhance defense cooperation, not only in material aspects, but also in improving personnel capabilities.

— Sjafrie SjamsoeddinAnnouncing the key outcomes of the bilateral meeting.

Following a ceremonial welcome at the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the ministers held discussions that culminated in a joint press statement. Minister Sjafrie announced that the agreement includes not only material aspects but also a significant push to improve personnel capabilities. "We agreed to enhance defense cooperation, not only in material aspects, but also in improving personnel capabilities," Sjafrie stated.

The defense roadmap will commence with joint military training, educational programs, and personnel exchange initiatives. Sjafrie specifically mentioned inviting China's People's Liberation Army to participate in joint exercises like "Heping Garuda," a drill previously discussed in a naval meeting last year. This exchange will involve officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel from both nations.

We invite the People's Liberation Army of China to participate in joint exercises such as Heping Garuda.

— Sjafrie SjamsoeddinDetailing specific personnel exchange initiatives.

Admiral Dong echoed the sentiment, highlighting the vital mutual interests shared by Jakarta and Beijing in safeguarding regional security and economic growth. He affirmed that China and Indonesia will collaborate to accelerate defense modernization and construct a robust security shield to support their ongoing development. "We will bring greater stability and certainty to a world grappling with change and turmoil," Dong remarked, underscoring the broader implications of their strengthened partnership.

We will bring greater stability and certainty to a world grappling with change and turmoil.

— Admiral Dong JunStating the broader goals of China-Indonesia defense cooperation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog