China Opens First Overseas Air Force Base in Laos
China has opened its first overseas air force facility, a joint military support and training centre at Ban Keun airport in Laos, about 50 km north of Vientiane.
The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center began operations on September 29. It opened alongside the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy, which is meant to train Lao air force pilots.
It is China’s third overseas military base. The first was the logistics base in Djibouti, opened in 2017. The second was the joint centre at Cambodia’s Ream naval base. The Laos site is the first focused on air power.
Beijing’s defence ministry said the institutions are jointly maintained by both sides. It said they are not directed against any third party and support regional peace.
Satellite images show a paved runway, taxiway, apron and new buildings where farmland stood last year. Analysts say the base deepens China’s presence in Southeast Asia.
The runway at the site is 6,562 feet long, enough for military aircraft. A PLA delegation attended the opening alongside Lao Defence Minister Khamlieng Outhakaysone.
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