Argentina signs deals with China military

DHAKA: Argentina’s defence minister is visiting China, signing military agreements and praising the weapons on display during a six-day tour.

Defence minister Arturo Puricelli says cooperation agreements that he signed with Chinese defence minister Liang Guanglie will strengthen ties between the Asian giant and Argentina.

He calls China an economic, political and military partner and says the two countries’ strategic positions in terms of international security are almost entirely consistent.

Argentina’s defence ministry says in a Wednesday statement that Puricelli also has visited Chinese defence contractors, viewing helicopters at one and guided weapon systems and anti-aircraft artillery at another.

Chinese state-run media in Beijing have reported on the visit and say China wants to expand military cooperation with Argentina, reports The Jakarta Post.

BDST: 1522 HRS, JUL 5, 2012

Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor