The Indonesian government said Friday it is ready to forge defense and security cooperation with China to follow up the strategic partnership established last year by leaders of the two countries.

"China and Indonesia have not established a specific defense and security cooperation yet. To follow up the strategic partnership agreed upon (last year), we are now drafting the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on that matter," Defense Ministry spokesman Eddy Butar Butar told reporters here.

He made the remarks shortly after accompanying Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono in a meeting with a delegation of the Chinese Defense Ministry.

He said Indonesia and China will continue working together to achieve regional peace and prosperity.

The MoU draft will be consulted with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other related government agencies, he said.

On the same occasion, Defense Ministry Secretary General Lieu. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the agreement should reflect mutual respect of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and be mutually beneficial.

The meeting also agreed to enhance cooperation between Indonesia and China in Strait Malacca security and in broader area of maritime security cooperation, he said.

Source: Xinhua