# China's Laos Military Base

> China opens military base in Laos, deepening security ties with Southeast Asia.
- Title: China's Laos Military Base · Dw | Shortify
- Summary: China opens military base in Laos, deepening security ties with Southeast Asia. China established a new military training facility in Laos to train Lao air…
- Keywords: china, laos, military base, seoul, southeast asia, china lao joint support and training cen, ban keun airport, vietnam, news, world, politics, China's
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/what-china-s-new-military-foothold-in-laos-means-for-southeast-asia/a-79548259?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: china, laos, military base, seoul, southeast asia, china lao joint support and training cen, ban keun airport, vietnam, news, world, politics
## China opens military base in Laos
China has opened a new military training and logistics facility in Laos, extending Beijing's security presence deeper into mainland Southeast Asia.
## Joint Training Center at Ban Keun
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's Training Focus
Beijing says the center will primarily help train Lao air force pilots and will be jointly maintained and operated by the two countries.
## China's Growing Military Footprint
The opening adds to China's still relatively small network of overseas military facilities, including Beijing's first base in Djibouti in 2017 and Cambodia's Ream Naval Base.
## Strategic Competition in Southeast Asia
A more durable Chinese military presence in Laos would also add another dimension to the strategic competition between Beijing and Washington in Southeast Asia.
## Vietnam's Strategic Concerns
Vietnam faces potential strategic encirclement by China, complicating its defense planning as it has traditionally viewed Laos and Cambodia as strategic buffers.
## Laos' Dependence on China
Laos has become heavily dependent on Chinese investment and financing, with public debt at 81% of GDP last year and China as the largest bilateral creditor.
## Geographical Limitations
The landlocked nature of Laos limits Ban Keun's military value, as it provides no sea access and Chinese aircraft already operate from better-equipped bases in southern China.
## Key takeaway

China established a new military training facility in Laos to train Lao air force pilots, expanding its overseas military presence in Southeast Asia.