This week, Indonesia and China held the latest iteration of their defense industry talks. The engagement highlighted ongoing activity in the defense aspect of bilateral relations in spite of lingering challenges, Prashanth Parameswaran reports in The Diplomat.

Aspects of defense cooperation, such as deals on equipment and technology as well as some exchanges and dialogues, have been going on (Picture source: Tempo.Co)

While Indonesia and China have long had a bilateral relationship, the defense aspect of ties has been strengthened gradually over the past few years in spite of challenges that remain, including with respect to the maritime realm. Aspects of defense cooperation, such as deals on equipment and technology as well as some exchanges and dialogues, have been going on.

One of the aspects of defense cooperation is the Indonesia-China defense industry cooperation meeting. Following a 2011 agreement on pursuing defense industry collaboration, both sides held their first defense industry cooperation meeting in 2012, where they discussed general opportunities and challenges in the area as well as more specific ways to advance ties. Those meetings have since continued as part of the defense relationship.

According to Indonesia’s defense ministry (KEMHAN), during the meeting held this week, both delegations highlighted the capabilities of their defense industries as well as products and policies, while the two sides also discussed opportunities for future collaboration.