China opens rare joint military support centre in Laos
The two facilities will help Laos train air force pilots, while China expands its limited overseas military presence in Southeast Asia.
- On Tuesday, China's Ministry of National Defence announced the opening of two military facilities at Ban Keun Airport in Laos, marking a rare overseas expansion into Southeast Asia.
- The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy are now operational, aiming to "help Laos strengthen the training of its air force pilots," the ministry said.
- Beijing's Ministry of National Defence provided no details regarding personnel or equipment at Ban Keun Airport, while the Laos embassy in Bangkok did not respond to requests for comment.
- Beijing stated the operations are "not directed against any third party" and aim to "deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries" to contribute to regional stability.
- China operates similar support and training facilities in Djibouti and at Cambodia's Ream naval base, where the United States has raised concerns about an expanded Chinese presence.
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China-Laos joint support and training center opens at Ban Keun airport; aviation academy begins operations
The China-Laos joint support and training center opened at Ban Keun Airport in Vientiane Province in Laos on Tuesday, and the China-Laos friendship aviation academy officially began operations, China's Ministry of National Defense announced. An expert said the center could help Laos build a systematic talent training system for pilots, ground crew and flight personnel, reducing its reliance on overseas training.
La Chine inaugure une installation militaire conjointe avec Vientiane au Laos
La Chine et le Laos ont inauguré une installation militaire conjointe sur le site d'un aéroport au nord de Vientiane, ont annoncé, le 29 septembre 2026, les gouvernements des deux pays. Pékin élargit sa présence militaire dans la région.
China opens first overseas air force training centre in Laos
China and Laos have opened a joint air force support and training centre at Ban Keun Airport. The move gives Beijing its first acknowledged overseas air-focused military facility and signals a wider regional footprint.
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