As Beijing expands its military footprint in Laos with a new joint aviation facility, Hà Nội issues a reminder regarding international law and regional stability.
The Latest: On the afternoon of Nov. 5, at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng answered a question regarding China opening a military support center at Ban Keun airport in Laos.
- The facility, known as the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center, has been operating since Sept. 29.
- Addressing the development, Hằng stated, “Việt Nam always hopes Laos will develop in peace, independence, and self-reliance.”
- Sputnik Việt Nam, a radio service of Russia’s Rossiya Segodnya news agency, published a longer version of Hằng’s answer:
“We believe that cooperation between countries should be carried out in accordance with international law, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, while contributing positively to peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.”
- The Straits Times also reported that Hằng stressed, “Such cooperation must at the same time be a positive contribution to peace, security, stability, and prosperity of the region and the world.”
- Notably, Hằng did not state whether Việt Nam has any concerns about the center, nor did disclose whether Việt Nam has raised the issue with China or Laos.
The Background: On Sept. 29, China’s Defense Ministry announced the opening of the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy in Laos.
- According to a report by Reuters, the ministry stated that the aim is to “help Laos strengthen air force pilot training” and emphasized that activities there “are not directed at any third party.”
On Oct. 6, Reuters published satellite images showing attack aircraft and military vehicles at the site.
- Satellite imagery analyst Jacob Bogle told RFA that eight K-8 (JL-8) aircraft were present on opening day; both China and Laos fly the K-8, a trainer and light attack aircraft, and the satellite images do not show which side the aircraft belong to.
- Bogle stated that the Laos facility, Cambodia’s Ream base, and the artificial islands in the Biển Đông (South China Sea) together encircle Việt Nam.
Thành Phương wrote this news article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on Nov. 6, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine translated it into English.
