What China's Laos foothold means for the region

China has opened a new military training and logistics facility in Laos, extending Beijing's security presence deeper into mainland Southeast Asia and potentially giving the Chinese air force its first dedicated foothold overseas.

The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center at Ban Keun Airport, north of the capital Vientiane, formally began operations late last month alongside the new China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy. Beijing says the center will primarily help train Lao air force pilots and will be jointly maintained and operated by the two countries.

The opening adds to China's still relatively small network of overseas military facilities.

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