Laos: Tilting Toward China?

Laos, a landlocked remnant of French Indochina taken over by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in 1975, has received little attention from the world since the end of the Vietnam War. In recent years, however, as China and Vietnam have jockeyed for influence in Indochina and as countries in the region have increased their cooperation, Laos has envisioned itself becoming a "corridor country," tying into a Chinese high-speed rail network and exporting hydro-powered electricity to the region. To achieve these goals it needs a major benefactor, and China looks like a logical candidate. But this will not sit well with Vietnam, which has been aligned with Laos for the last 36 years.