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
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
Digital Reports

Secret Signals: Decoding China’s Intelligence Activities in Cuba
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

Skirting the Shores: China’s New High-Tech Research Ship Probes the Waters around Taiwan
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Brian Hart — February 26, 2024

Surveying the Seas: China’s Dual-Use Research Operations in the Indian Ocean
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — January 10, 2024

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

Mineral Monopoly: China’s Control over Gallium Is a National Security Threat
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — July 18, 2023
Contributing Experts and Staff


In the News 12 of 14 results
Satellite Images Show Expansion of Suspected Chinese Spy Bases in Cuba
in The Wall Street Journal — July 2, 2024
Hidden Reach in CNN - How China could take Taiwan without even needing to invade
in CNN — June 22, 2024
Chinese research ships increase activity near Taiwan
Matthew P. Funaiole in Financial Times — February 26, 2024
China’s Shipyards Are Ready for a Protracted War. America’s Aren’t.
Matthew P. Funaiole in The Wall Street Journal — February 13, 2024
Chinese PLA-linked vessels map the Indian Ocean for submarine warfare
Matthew P. Funaiole in The Washington Post — January 10, 2024
Is peace in the Arctic melting?
Matthew P. Funaiole in BBC — October 22, 2023
The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials
Gregory C. Allen in CNN — October 11, 2023
Mining For Gallium: The Next Step Toward American Semiconductor Supremacy
Analysis in Forbes — August 15, 2023
China’s gallium curbs to have limited impact on U.S. defense
Brian Hart in Japan Times — August 11, 2023
How China cornered the market for clean tech
Matthew P. Funaiole in Financial Times — August 9, 2023
Western sanctions and distrust draw China, Russia closer in the Arctic
Analysis in South China Morning Post — July 25, 2023
China hits back against Western sanctions
Analysis in The Economist — July 23, 2023
All Hidden Reach Content
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China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station
Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 20, 2024

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station
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
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
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
Skirting the Shores: China’s New High-Tech Research Ship Probes the Waters around Taiwan
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Brian Hart — February 26, 2024
Surveying the Seas: China’s Dual-Use Research Operations in the Indian Ocean
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — January 10, 2024
Submarine Diplomacy
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Jennifer Jun — November 17, 2023
De-risking Gallium Supply Chains: The National Security Case for Eroding China’s Critical Mineral Dominance
Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — August 3, 2023
“Mineral Monopoly”: Audio Brief with Matthew Funaiole
Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole — July 21, 2023

Mineral Monopoly: China’s Control over Gallium Is a National Security Threat
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — July 18, 2023