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China Opens Rare Joint Military Support Center in Laos, Expanding Overseas Presence
- •China has opened a new military support and training center in Laos, a rare overseas expansion, according to Beijing's Ministry of National Defence.
- •The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy are now operational at an airport in Ban Keun.
- •The facilities aim to help Laos strengthen the training of its air force pilots and are jointly maintained and operated by both countries.
- •China also operates a joint training and support center at Cambodia's Ream naval base and a logistics base in Djibouti.
- •China's Ministry of National Defence stated the Laos operations are not directed against any third party and aim to deepen practical cooperation and maintain regional peace.
Key Questions Answered
China opened the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy at an airport in Ban Keun. These institutions are jointly maintained and operated by both countries to help Laos strengthen the training of its air force pilots.
In addition to the new centre in Laos, China operates a joint support and training centre at Cambodia's Ream naval base on the Gulf of Thailand. Beijing also operates an established logistics base in Djibouti, which serves as its first acknowledged overseas military base.
China's Ministry of National Defence stated that the operations in Laos are not directed against any third party. Instead, Beijing emphasized that the facilities aim to deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries and contribute to regional peace and stability.
