The armed forces of China and Laos launched the Friendship Shield-2024 joint military exercise at the training ground of the Kommadam Academy of the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) in Vientiane on Friday.
The joint military exercise will run from July 5 to July 18. Representatives from the armed forces of both countries, the Chinese ambassador to Laos, the defense attache at the Chinese embassy in Laos, and troops participating in the exercise, attended the opening ceremony.
The exercise, which is the second of its kind, seeks to strengthen strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation between the two militaries, with the aim of promoting regional peace and stability.
The Friendship Shield-2023 joint military exercise was held in May last year in Laos.
China, Laos hold Friendship Shield-2024 joint exercise
The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition introduced a low-altitude economy pavilion for the first time, attracting more than 40 companies from home and abroad to show their ingenious products such as multifunctional drones and flying cars.
The pavilion features both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles designed for diverse purposes.
"Our unmanned passenger aircraft is designed for a trail of different scenarios which include aerial tourism, urban sightseeing, traffic transfers, air commuting, logistics and emergency rescue operations," said He Tianxing, an exhibitor.
Several new unmanned cargo drones also wowed spectators at the event, drawing significant attention.
Among them was a vertical takeoff and landing low-altitude passenger aircraft. Equipped with eight rotors, it functions like an aerial taxi, capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers.
"Our drone has a range of up to 200 kilometers and more importantly, it is pure electric," said exhibitor Fei Lan.
Flying cars also prove to be a big draw at the air show.
One standout model, which has already completed a public test flight, boasts an innovative design: its trunk is able to house a drone.
The event, also known as Airshow China, is the largest air show in the country. It started on Nov 12 and concluded on Sunday in Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province.
Zhuhai Airshow spotlights multifunctional drones, flying cars
