Lao and Chinese military personnel take part in a joint exercise in Vientiane last week.

Laos, China launch joint military drill

Laos and China launched a joint military exercise last week at the Kommadam Academy of the Lao People’s Armed Forces in Vientiane, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the two militaries to combat terrorism.
The launch ceremony was attended by the General Staff Deputy Chief of the Lao People’s Armed Forces, Major General Phanseng Bounphanh, Deputy Commander of the 75th Group Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, Major-General Yang Wenlin, and the Chinese Ambassador to Laos, Jiang Zaidong.
Major General Phanseng said the exercise aimed to enhance friendship and cooperation between the two nations, parties, armies and peoples of Laos and China, so that day by day it will become stronger and more stable, especially in military cooperation, by building mutual trust and increasing mutual support.
In the field of national defence, the joint exercise will enhance sovereignty and build the strength and stability of the two countries in the Asian region and in the world.
The exercise is an important part of efforts to enhance the development of the armed forces by comprehensively strengthening the Lao People’s Army so it can move forward in the proposed direction to become a revolutionary army with modern planning.
Along with training exercises, the Lao and Chinese armies are active in the field of political leadership and the sharing of culture, art, literature, sports and other activities in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect.
Their shared daily life, the exchange of information, and communication fosters mutual understanding between the officers and soldiers of Lao and Chinese armies, so that their relationship and mutual understanding is deepened.
Major General Phanseng called on the comrades, commanders and soldiers of the two armies to jointly raise the spirit of leadership in taking greater responsibility for their duties, strictly comply with the regulations, and maintain unity with the aim of building and promoting the friendship between Laos and China so that it grows and becomes more highly valued day by day.
Major-General Yang Wenlin said the China-Laos Friendship Shield 2023 joint exercise enables the sharing of experiences between the two militaries, as well as being a concrete step in deepening the friendship and boosting the cooperation between the two countries.
The joint drill aims to strengthen defence cooperation between Laos and China under a joint statement signed by the two sides on building a China-Laos community with a shared future.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 15, 2023)