China and Indonesia deepen military ties

China and Indonesia's defense ministers have pledged to deepen military cooperation, marking a significant step in their bilateral relations. The commitment emerged from a high-level "2+2" dialogue in Jakarta, involving their foreign ministers. During the meeting, both nations discussed topics including security, political, and economic issues. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that unilateralism and hegemonic actions severely impact global stability. His Indonesian counterpart, Sugiono, discussed strengthening economic and political ties. Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun emphasized military collaboration would enhance both countries' capacities to protect national interests and counter external threats. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin described the agreement as a progressive move to bolster Indonesia's defense capabilities. The expanded cooperation will include joint military exercises, officer exchanges, and partnerships within the defense industry. This follows a recent joint naval exercise between China and Indonesia held east of Taiwan, an event that drew criticism from Taiwan, claimed by China. Indonesia, however, characterized its participation as routine, noting its navy conducts similar drills with other nations. Analysts suggest Indonesia is increasingly considering China as a major arms supplier to modernize and diversify its defense equipment sources. The discussions also touched upon persistent tensions in the South China Sea, where China asserts territorial claims.