Visiting Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met with his Indonesian counterpart Juwono Sudarsonoin Jakarta on Wednesday for further cooperation.

 

Cao, who is conducting an official friendly visit to Indonesia, said that as bilateral relationship of China and Indonesia is improving year by year, the cooperation in defense and military are also deepened. The two sides are seeking ways to upgrade intercourse.

 

Sudarsono said the two countries' defense cooperation increased energy of strategic partnership which was signed in 2005.

 

Cao and his delegation also met with Indonesian vice president Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday, and visited the base of Indonesian Army's special force (KOPASSUS) base.

 

Cao is returning a visit by Sudarsono to China in November 2007, and will stay in Indonesia until Jan. 20.

 

He left Beijing on Sunday for official friendly visits to three Asian countries -- Brunei, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)