China has opened a new military support and aviation training facility in Laos, expanding its presence in Southeast Asia. The facilities at Ban Keun, about 50 kilometres north of the Lao capital, Vientiane, began operations on September 29, according to China’s Ministry of National Defence.
The ministry announced the opening of a China-Laos joint support and training centre and a friendship aviation academy. Lao Defence Minister Khamlieng Outhakaysone attended the inauguration ceremony.
New China-Laos centre begins operations
The facility brings together support and training functions with an aviation academy. The announcement comes as China’s military presence in Southeast Asia has expanded.
The opening in Laos follows China’s establishment of its first overseas base in Djibouti in 2017, as noted in the report.
