China expands military presence with new training center in Laos

Source published 1h 51m agoTerminal published 1h 49m ago

Summary

China has established a new military presence in Laos with the operational launch of the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy at Ban Keun airfield, located approximately 50 km north of Vientiane. This development, confirmed by satellite imagery and China's Ministry of National Defence, signals an expansion of Beijing's military footprint in Southeast Asia. The facility is intended for training air force pilots and is described by China as not targeting any third parties. This expansion follows a series of joint military exercises with Laos earlier in the month and underscores increasing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the context of recent diplomatic discussions between Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding national defense.

Analysis

China: The People's Republic of China maintains one of the world's largest militaries and is actively expanding its overseas logistical and training infrastructure. In this development, Beijing established the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy at Ban Keun airfield to train air force pilots. Chinese officials stated the facility supports pilot training and is not aimed at third parties. Collin Koh: Collin Koh is a security scholar at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He described the Laos site as potentially the first full-fledged PLA overseas base in Southeast Asia, drawing parallels to the established logistics base in Djibouti while noting its land-based focus. Xi Jinping: Xi Jinping is the President of China. He has overseen deepening military and strategic engagement with Laos, including calls for enhanced defence cooperation during high-level visits, while also addressing broader regional and economic priorities. Rachel Vandenbrink: Rachel Vandenbrink serves as a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute with expertise in Indo-Pacific security. She assessed the Ban Keun facility as a potential logistics hub enabling persistent PLA access and deeper institutional ties with Lao forces. Her analysis highlighted the distinction from more naval-focused sites like Ream in Cambodia. Thongloun Sisoulith: Thongloun Sisoulith is the President of Laos. He conducted meetings in Beijing with Chinese leadership to advance strategic dialogue on national defence and other bilateral issues. Lao People's Revolutionary Party: The Lao People's Revolutionary Party is the ruling communist party that governs Laos as a one-party state. It directs the country's foreign and defence policies, including expanded cooperation with China through joint military facilities and exercises. This governance structure has facilitated the new airfield development near Vientiane. Military Exercises: China and Laos held joint military exercises this month focused on humanitarian response. Diplomatic Engagement: Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith visited Beijing in June to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and discuss national defence matters. Regional Infrastructure: China operates a separate joint training and support centre at Cambodia's Ream naval base.

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