Lemhanas Exploring Cooperation with China, Japan

Beijing (Antara) - Indonesia's National Defense Institute (Lemhanas) is tapping the possibilities of initiating cooperation with similar institutions in China and Japan. "China and Japan are two influential countries in the Asian region where Indonesia is also located, and so, cooperation with them will be important," Lemhanas Deputy Governor Vice Marshal Dede Rusamsi stated in a text message to Antara here on Tuesday. Rusamsi is heading a delegation of the 52nd batch of the Lemhanas' Foreign Strategic Study Regular Education Program to Japan and China. "We wish to know more about the economy and abenomics and its effects on the region, and so, China and Japan have been chosen as the destination countries for the study program," he explained. Dede remarked that China has now become the world's biggest economic power, which is supported by a reliable defense system. "A lot of things could be learnt and studied from China in keeping with our national interests," he noted. In view of that, Lemhanas has continued to explore the possibilities of cooperation with similar institutes in China and Japan. "We have already established a similar cooperation with a French institute of defense, IHEDN," he revealed. While in Japan, the Lemhanas delegation visited the ministries of home affairs, foreign affairs, and defense, Dede added. In China, besides visiting several concerned ministries, the delegation also visited one of China's defense industries and the State Agency for National Defense Science, Technology and Industry (SASTIND), he stated. (*)