Afghanistan, Oct. 6 -- China has opened a new joint military support and training facility in Laos, establishing its first overseas military foothold centered on air-force activities and expanding Beijing's growing security presence in Southeast Asia.
Reuters reported that the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy became operational at Ban Keun Airport, about 50 kilometers north of Vientiane. Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters showed a newly built runway, taxiway, apron and other facilities, while the Pentagon's latest assessment of China's military expansion did not identify Laos among countries where Beijing was considering additional overseas military facilities.
China's Defense ...