China-Laos ‘Peace Train-2026’ Joint Humanitarian Medical Rescue Exercise Begins
Dragon Media News Desk
The China-Laos “Peace Train-2026” joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise officially opened in the Lao capital Vientiane on Monday, aiming to strengthen the two countries’ coordinated medical rescue and emergency response capabilities during major disasters.
The opening ceremony began with the national anthems of China and Laos. Chandy Soulivongsak, Director General of the General Logistics Department of the Lao People’s Army, and Wu Dan, head of the Chinese command and coordination group, delivered remarks and formally announced the start of the exercise.
Chandy said the China-Laos “Peace Train” joint exercise and related medical service activities have become an important platform for strengthening the two militaries’ capabilities in joint disaster rescue and emergency response.
He said the program also demonstrates the close and friendly relationship between China and Laos and reflects the growing practical cooperation between their armed forces.
Chandy expressed confidence that this year’s exercise would further deepen cooperation between the two militaries in medical support, emergency health services and disaster response.
Wu said the Chinese and Lao militaries have conducted the “Peace Train” series of joint exercises six times since 2017. He described the return of the Chinese “Peace Train” medical team to Laos as a vivid example of efforts to build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.
He said the exercise also represents an important step in expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries in logistics, medical support, joint rescue and emergency response.
More than 700 personnel from China and Laos are participating in the exercise, which will continue until late September.
The exercise is based on a scenario involving international humanitarian medical rescue operations following a major disaster caused by a super typhoon. It incorporates a three-tier command structure and a four-tier rescue system designed to test coordinated responses under complex emergency conditions.
The two sides will use medical trains, field medical treatment equipment and unmanned intelligent systems during mixed joint training, full-process joint rehearsals and live-force exercises.
A major objective is to explore effective operational models for cross-border joint medical rescue while testing command, coordination and medical support mechanisms. The exercise is also expected to improve the ability of both militaries to respond rapidly and effectively to large-scale emergencies.
China and Laos have increasingly expanded their military cooperation beyond conventional security activities to include natural disaster response, public health, emergency treatment and humanitarian assistance.
“Peace Train-2026” reflects this broader approach by integrating modern technology, coordinated command systems and medical resources to examine how rapid and effective rescue operations can be organized during major disasters.
Alongside the joint exercise, the two sides will also organize medical service programs and cultural exchange activities. These initiatives are expected to strengthen professional cooperation between the two militaries while promoting friendship and mutual understanding between the Chinese and Lao peoples.
The “Peace Train-2026” exercise stands as another example of growing strategic trust, humanitarian cooperation and shared disaster-response capacity between China and Laos.
