DHAKA: The Chinese government said it secured a stronger working relationship with the Bangladeshi military during bilateral talks in Beijing.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met Tuesday in Beijing with Bangladeshi Army Chief of Staff Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.

Chang stressed the Asian countries were close neighbors who enjoyed a strong working relationship. China`s official Xinhua News Agency reports the Chinese military is willing to strengthen its military ties with Bangladesh across "all fields and at all levels."

The Beijing meeting follows Monday`s announcement from the U.S. Defense Department the Indonesia military was approved for the sale of Apache attack helicopters and advanced radar systems.

The U.S. military is employing its so-called "pivot" to Asia by focusing more of its assets to the Asia-Pacific since the end of the Iraq war in 2011.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the announcement during his visit to Indonesia this week. President George W. Bush lifted sanctions on military sales to Indonesia in 2010. Sanctions were in place because of Indonesia`s human rights record.

Source: upi.com
BDST: 0927 HRS, AUG 28, 2013
RS/BSK