Archive · 9 Oct 2026
China’s Presence at Former CIA Airfield in Laos
An old airfield in Laos that was used by the CIA during the Vietnam War is now described as a place where China has a military presence.
But that does not mean China can use it to reach far away right now.
Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official, said the Chinese air force presence is small and isolated.
He said it does not currently have practical military effects.
He thinks the presence may matter more politically than militarily.
A former CIA airfield in Laos is described as a new Chinese military foothold.
The article excerpt does not say the base currently gives China significant military reach.
Former Pentagon official Drew Thompson said China’s air force presence there is small and isolated.
Thompson said the presence has no tangible military consequences at present.
He argued its political significance may exceed its immediate military threat.
- Who
- China’s air force presence and Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official.
- What
- A former CIA airfield in Laos is described as a Chinese military foothold, though its current military impact is said to be limited.
- When
- The airfield dates to the Vietnam War era; the timing of the reported Chinese presence is not specified.
- Where
- Laos.
- Why
- The excerpt suggests political significance may be greater than the immediate military threat; it does not state why China is present.
Limited Military Impact
Political Significance
Meaning of China’s presence
Limited Military Impact
Drew Thompson said the air force presence is too small and isolated to have tangible military consequences now.
Political Significance
Thompson said its political significance may be greater than its immediate military threat.
- Location
- Laos
- Airfield history
- Used by the CIA during the Vietnam War era
- Reported current presence
- A Chinese air force presence described as small and isolated
- Assessment of military impact
- Thompson said it currently has no tangible military consequences
- Assessment of political significance
- Thompson said it may be greater than the immediate military threat
- Quoted expert
- Drew Thompson, former Pentagon official and senior fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies