China will further deepen defense ties with East Timor and Indonesia, the
Defense Ministry said at a press briefing on Aug. 27. Defense Minister Dong Jun
visited East Timor and attended the second China‑Indonesia foreign‑and‑defense
ministers’ 2+2 meeting in Indonesia. Dong held talks with East Timor’s president
and prime minister; Beijing described bilateral ties with East Timor as at their
strongest in history and noted this was Dong’s first visit there. China said it
and Indonesia will deepen cooperation on equipment and technology, joint
exercises and training, personnel exchanges and maritime security and will
institutionalize practical mechanisms — steps the ministry said aim to play a
central role in regional stability.
