No defense pact with China

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 11/09/2007 5:26 PM

BEIJING: Indonesia is not aiming to form a defense alliance or pact with China following the signing of a military cooperation agreement between both countries as Indonesia still adopts a ""free and active"" foreign policy, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said Thursday.

""We are not forming a defense alliance or pact but merely improving our defense cooperation,"" Juwono told Antara.

""The defense cooperation is the realization of the strategic partnership signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his counterpart Hu Jintao in Jakarta in April 2005.""

Signed by Juwono and his counterpart Cao Ganchuan on Wednesday here, the cooperation includes exchange and transfer of technology, exchange of military students and the possibility of buying Chinese-made weaponry. -- JP

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