Hidden Reach

Hidden Reach is a CSIS special initiative that shines light on under-appreciated sources of China's far-reaching influence through open-source data and satellite imagery.

China is increasingly a global power. Its overseas interests are vast and complex, spanning every region of the world. In many places, Beijing is leveraging new sources of strength to assert its influence. Yet key elements of its far-reaching footprint remain poorly understood.

Using satellite imagery and open-source data analysis, Hidden Reach illuminates new details in the story of China’s expanding international influence, focusing on areas left out in Beijing’s official narrative.

Presented through interactive digital reports and other multimedia content, our work seeks to cut through noise and jargon to help policymakers, academics, and the interested public gain a nuanced understanding of China’s global rise.

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Featured Reports

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At the Doorstep: A Snapshot of New Activity at Cuban Spy Sites

New satellite imagery offers an updated look at two Cuban signals intelligence sites, including construction of a new circularly disposed antenna array. The two sites are among those most likely to be supporting Chinese intelligence-gathering operations from Cuba.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 6, 2025

Related

Contributing Experts and Staff

Matthew P. Funaiole

Matthew P. Funaiole

Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project
Brian Hart

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project
Jennifer Jun

Jennifer Jun

Associate Fellow and Project Manager for Imagery Analysis, iDeas Lab and Korea Chair

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At the Doorstep: A Snapshot of New Activity at Cuban Spy Sites

New satellite imagery offers an updated look at two Cuban signals intelligence sites, including construction of a new circularly disposed antenna array. The two sites are among those most likely to be supporting Chinese intelligence-gathering operations from Cuba.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — May 6, 2025

Audio Briefs

Unpacking the White House’s Executive Order on Restoring the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry

An audio version of “Unpacking the White House’s Executive Order on Restoring the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's  Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — April 11, 2025

Audio Briefs

Murky Waters: Navigating the Risks of China’s Dual-Use Shipyards

China’s booming dual-use shipyards are accelerating its rapid naval buildup. This Hidden Reach investigation demystifies China’s murky shipbuilding ecosystem and explores the role foreign firms play in supporting it.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 25, 2025

Ship Wars: Confronting China’s Dual-Use Shipbuilding Empire

China is leveraging its globally dominant commercial shipbuilding industry to support its naval modernization—and foreign companies are inadvertently helping. This report outlines how the United States and its partners can confront China's dual-use shipyards.

Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 11, 2025

Audio Briefs

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station

An audio version of “China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 20, 2024

Audio Briefs

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station

New satellite imagery, including images captured using synthetic aperture radar, shows recent construction progress at Qinling Station, China's newest research station in Antarctica.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 19, 2024

China’s Intelligence Footprint in Cuba: New Evidence and Implications for U.S. Security

China’s deepening ties with Cuba are opening doors for its military and intelligence services there. Satellite imagery and other open-source information offer an unprecedented look at facilities in Cuba likely to be supporting China’s efforts to spy on the United States.

Brief by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Ryan C. Berg, and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — December 6, 2024

Secret Signals: Decoding China’s Intelligence Activities in Cuba

In 2023, U.S. officials acknowledged that China operates spy facilities in Cuba, but details have remained scarce. New satellite imagery offers an unprecedented look at four active sites in Cuba most likely to be supporting China’s efforts to spy on the United States.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Ryan C. Berg, and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — July 1, 2024