The Ministry of Defense of China reported this Tuesday the launch of a new military facility at Ban Keun airport in Laos, along with an aviation academy, both designed to "help Laos strengthen the training of its air force pilots," while emphasizing that "they are not directed against any third party."
"On September 29, the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center, located at Ban Keun airport (Laos), and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy have officially begun operations," the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on social media.
According to the Ministry, "the two institutions, maintained and operated jointly by both parties, aim to help Laos strengthen the training of its air force pilots (...), in accordance with the internal laws of both countries, as well as International Law and customary practices."
Beijing has reiterated that "they are not directed against third parties" and has defended that the purpose of these centers is to "further deepen practical cooperation between both armies, in addition to contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region."
The statement coincided with the conclusion of a joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise between China and Laos, in which military medical personnel from both countries participated in a simulation of an international relief operation following the impact of a super typhoon.
At the close of these maneuvers, the Armed Forces of the two states reiterated, according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, their willingness to "promote exchanges, strengthen mutual benefit, and expand bilateral cooperation."
The new infrastructures in Laotian territory add to the military resources that China maintains in Southeast Asia, following the construction of a joint logistics and training center and a dock capable of accommodating warships -- including aircraft carriers -- at the Ream naval base in Cambodia, completed in 2025.
At that time, Beijing stated that these facilities were intended to "reinforce practical military cooperation" in areas such as counter-terrorism in the region, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.