A Chinese satellite company has come under strong criticism from the United States. The company, which has ties to China’s military, is accused of helping the Houthi rebel group in Yemen target American warships. These warships operate in the Red Sea — a major waterway used for global trade.
Satellite Images Used to Target US Warships
The satellite company, called Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co Ltd (CGSTL), is said to be supplying high-quality images to the Houthis. According to American officials, these images are being used to plan attacks on US Navy ships and other vessels in the area.
This information comes as tensions between China and the United States continue to grow. American authorities say they have raised the issue many times with Chinese officials. However, according to the US, China has not taken any action in response to these concerns.
The Red Sea is an important route for ships carrying goods between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Attacks in this region can create serious problems for international trade and safety. The Houthis began targeting ships in the area after a war began between Israel and Hamas in 2023.
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Deep Connections Between the Company and Chinese Military
Chang Guang Satellite Technology was set up in 2014 as a joint project between a local government and a scientific institute in China. While it appears to be a regular commercial company, it is part of what’s known as China’s “military-civil fusion” program. Under this system, companies must share their technology with China’s military if asked.
Reports from US experts say that CGSTL is one of several Chinese companies that, while claiming to be private businesses, are actually connected to the Chinese armed forces. The company is believed to have over 100 satellites in orbit and plans to launch more, reaching 300 by the end of 2025. This would allow it to take new images of any location in the world every 10 minutes.
CGSTL has been known to provide technology for both military and civilian uses. In fact, it has already been punished by US authorities in the past for giving satellite images to a Russian military group. That same kind of technology is now said to be supporting Houthi rebel activities.
The US is concerned that the images are helping the Houthis carry out more accurate and damaging attacks. Officials describe this support as dangerous and unacceptable. According to the US, China has chosen to ignore multiple warnings about CGSTL’s actions.
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Rising Satellite Numbers Raise Security Worries
In addition to its concerns about CGSTL, the US is also paying close attention to China’s growing presence in space. In 2023, China launched 200 satellites — the second-highest number after the US. Many of these satellites have remote sensing capabilities, which means they can take detailed images of the Earth’s surface.
These types of satellites are exactly what CGSTL is using to assist the Houthis, according to American officials. The fear is that these satellites could be used for military operations around the world.
The US also believes CGSTL has shown its satellite technology to top military leaders in China. These presentations reportedly focused on how the images can be used for military intelligence. This strengthens the belief that CGSTL is not just a commercial company but is also closely tied to China’s military and government systems.
While the Chinese government has claimed it is unaware of the situation, the US continues to warn other countries about CGSTL. American officials are urging their allies to look at what Chinese companies do, rather than what they say.
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The United States has also taken military action against Houthi positions in Yemen in response to recent attacks in the Red Sea. These strikes aim to reduce the group’s ability to harm US interests and shipping lanes.
The US accuses a Chinese satellite company of giving powerful imaging tools to Houthi rebels, helping them attack ships in a vital trade route. These developments are adding to already high tensions between the US and China.