China Establishes New Military Training and Logistics Facility in Laos, Expanding Southeast Asian Presence
China has inaugurated a new military training and logistics facility in Laos, known as the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center at Ban Keun Airport, north of Vientiane. This facility, which began operations late last month alongside the new China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy, is primarily intended to train Lao air force pilots and will be jointly maintained and operated by both countries. This development marks an expansion of Beijing's security presence deeper into mainland Southeast Asia and potentially provides the Chinese air force with its first dedicated overseas foothold. The Chinese Defense Ministry stated that these institutions are not directed against any third party and aim to deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries, contributing to regional peace and stability. This new facility follows China's establishment of its first foreign military base in Djibouti in 2017 and the inauguration of a Chinese-funded expansion of Cambodia's Ream Naval Base last year.
