Malaysia shouldn’t see China’s new Laos base as threat, says analyst

Malaysia should not immediately perceive China's new military base in Laos as a threat, according to a foreign policy analyst. The base, which is situated approximately 50km north of Laos' capital, Vientiane, is said to include an airfield and an aviation academy aimed at training Lao air force pilots. Thaha Albana Turmuzi, a research officer at Bait Al Amanah, asserts that more information is required regarding the facility and the scope of Chinese military presence.

He suggests that Malaysia should engage in diplomatic and ASEAN channels to gain further clarity on the matter, particularly regarding the permanence of Chinese troops and their access to the facility. Thaha advises treating the situation as a bilateral arrangement between Laos and China, rather than perceiving it as a threat. He also recommends monitoring the development of the arrangement, especially if it leads to increased cooperation in military and infrastructure sectors.

Senior fellow Thomas Daniel from Malaysia notes that while the facility may not significantly enhance China's military advantage, given its proximity to China's Yunnan province, it serves to strengthen China's defense ties and political influence in the region. For ASEAN, the primary concern is whether growing China-US rivalry will result in further fragmentation, which would complicate their collective response to China's expanding military presence.