New China-Laos military site may become Beijing's first full base in Southeast Asia

Recent satellite images have recorded high activity at Ban Keun, near Laos' capital Vientiane. The secured site already hosts: ▪️8 K-8 light attack and training aircraft; ▪️Over 20 units of specialized military transport vehicles. Experts note the local runway was initially designed with the possibility of rapid expansion. In the future, this would allow the airfield to accommodate large Chinese special-purpose aircraft and long-range reconnaissance planes, significantly strengthening China's geopolitical position in the region.