Archive · 29 Sep 2026
China Expands Overseas Military Footprint With New Laos Centre
China and Laos have opened a new military centre in Laos.
The centre includes a support and training facility and an aviation academy.
China says the facilities will help train Lao air force pilots.
China and Laos will run the facilities together.
China says the centre is not aimed at another country.
China also says it should help regional peace and stability.
Some observers are concerned because China already has other military facilities and partnerships overseas.
The centre also comes as Laos relies heavily on China for loans and debt support.
China has opened a joint military support and training centre and aviation academy in Ban Keun, Laos.
The facilities are intended to improve training for Laos’ air force pilots.
China and Laos will jointly maintain and operate the institutions, according to China’s Ministry of National Defence.
China said the activities are not directed against any third party and will support regional peace and stability.
The centre adds to China’s overseas defence network amid Laos’ debt dependence on China and concerns about Beijing’s regional military expansion.
- Who
- China and Laos, including their militaries and Laos’ air force.
- What
- They opened the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy.
- When
- The facilities became operational on Tuesday, according to China’s Ministry of National Defence.
- Where
- At an airport in Ban Keun, Laos.
- Why
- The stated purpose is to improve pilot training, deepen military cooperation, and contribute to regional peace and stability.
China and Laos’ stated position
Regional and economic concerns
Purpose of the centre
China and Laos’ stated position
China says the facilities are for joint military cooperation, pilot training, and regional peace and stability, rather than targeting another country.
Regional and economic concerns
The new centre adds to China’s expanding overseas defence network and military engagement in mainland Southeast Asia, raising concerns about Beijing’s growing influence.
Laos’ relationship with China
China and Laos’ stated position
China has provided repeated debt deferrals and financed energy and infrastructure projects in Laos, according to the Lowy Institute analysis.
Regional and economic concerns
The Lowy Institute described a powerful creditor-debtor relationship and examined whether Laos could represent a case of Chinese debt-trap diplomacy, while also noting that Lao authorities contributed to decisions behind the debt crisis.
Regional military presence
China and Laos’ stated position
China and Cambodia have said their Ream facility was built through mutual consultation to strengthen military cooperation; Cambodia denies that Chinese troops are permanently stationed there.
Regional and economic concerns
The expanded Chinese presence at Ream has raised concerns in Washington, and the Laos facility represents another Chinese-linked military site in the region.
- Facilities
- China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy
- Location
- An airport in Ban Keun, Laos
- Stated focus
- Training Laos’ air force pilots
- Operation
- The facilities will be jointly maintained and operated by China and Laos
- Chinese facilities abroad
- China also operates a military logistics base in Djibouti and a joint support and training centre at Cambodia’s Ream naval base
- Laos’ debt
- The Lowy Institute said China holds nearly half of Laos’ sovereign external debt
- Official position
- China said the activities are not directed against any third party