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.

Contact Information

Digital Reports


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Hidden Reach Cover Collage of Cuba and SIGINT assets

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

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A satellite view of the Bay of Bengal coastline

Submarine Diplomacy

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Jennifer Jun — November 17, 2023

Contributing Experts and Staff


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Matthew P. Funaiole
Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project
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Brian Hart
Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project
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Jennifer Jun
Associate Fellow and Project Manager for Imagery Analysis, iDeas Lab and Korea Chair

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