Defence
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Dual-Use in Low Earth Orbit: Spying Capabilities of China’s Latest XIGUANG-4 01 Satellite
On October 21, 2026, a solid-fuel Ceres-1S rocket lifted off from a converted mobile sea barge stationed in the Yellow Sea off the coast of Rizhao, Shandong. The payload delivered into low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 541 km was XIGUANG-4 01—an Earth observation satellite formally designated as the flagship node for the…
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China Establishes Military Footprint in Southeast Asia with Launch of Aviation Base in Laos
China has formally operationalized its first full-fledged overseas military aviation installation in Southeast Asia, marking a major milestone in China’s power projection beyond its borders. On September 29, 2026, official ceremonies marked the inauguration of the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy at Ban Keun Airport in Vientiane Province,…