China's Expanding Military Footprint in Southeast Asia Raises Regional Concerns
New military facilities in Laos and Cambodia are sparking worries about China's growing military presence in Southeast Asia, alongside its economic expansion.
Highlights
- China and Laos inaugurated a joint military training and support facility near Vientiane in late September, reportedly for Laotian pilot instruction.
- China has also enhanced its presence at Cambodia's Ream naval base on the Gulf of Thailand, using it for logistics and training.
- Experts suggest these developments could provide China with greater strategic depth in mainland Southeast Asia and improved access to the South China Sea.
- While acknowledging China's expanding operational capabilities, one expert noted it has not yet achieved military hegemony in the region.
- Questions remain regarding the extent of China's rights at these facilities and whether they will be used by Chinese forces beyond training local personnel.
Details
China has significantly broadened its economic influence across Southeast Asia in recent years. Projects like the China-Laos railway and other infrastructure initiatives have strengthened Laos's ties with its northern neighbor, contributing to substantial Laotian debt to China. According to Marco Bünte, an Asian politics specialist at the University Erlangen Nuremberg, Laos and Cambodia have maintained strong military ties with China for a period, viewing the new Laotian facility as a further step in deepening this collaboration. If this trend continues, Bünte believes China could gain significant strategic advantage in the region and better military access to the South China Sea.
Regarding the Laotian airbase, China states its primary purpose is to train Laotian air force pilots. However, Laos's air fleet is limited, comprising military transport aircraft, helicopters, and a small number of light combat jets. Aviation reports indicate additional Chinese-made K-8 trainer and light attack aircraft are in service, with satellite imagery from early October showing eight K-8s at the base. Johann Fuhrmann, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Beijing office, cautions against immediate conclusions, noting that the Ban Keun runway, at 2,000 meters, is too short for larger Chinese bombers, which typically require 3,000 meters. The crucial aspect, Fuhrmann emphasizes, is the nature of the agreements: whether China needs approval for each use or if long-term commitments exist.
Why it matters
This potential expansion of China's military footprint in Southeast Asia could reshape regional power dynamics and exacerbate existing tensions in the South China Sea. Nations like Vietnam and the Philippines, which have territorial disputes with China, are closely monitoring these developments. Experts suggest that Western nations should focus on bolstering the capabilities of smaller regional countries and addressing their concerns to foster a more balanced environment, rather than issuing warnings or lectures. This approach is seen as a more effective way to create a counterweight to China's growing influence.