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
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Featured Reports
No Safe Harbor: Evaluating the Risk of China's Port Projects in Latin America and the Caribbean
China's extensive influence at ports in Latin America and the Caribbean has come under immense scrutiny. This report analyzes 37 port projects and provides a new method for assessing their relative risk.
Digital Report by Henry Ziemer, Jaehyun Han,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— June 25, 2025
At the Doorstep: A Snapshot of New Activity at Cuban Spy Sites
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs,and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.— May 6, 2025
Murky Waters: Navigating the Risks of China’s Dual-Use Shipyards
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— March 25, 2025
Ship Wars: Confronting China’s Dual-Use Shipbuilding Empire
Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— March 11, 2025
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
In the News12 of18 results
China shipyard orders strong despite US port fees on China vessels, report says
cited inReuters— September 25, 2025
'This is no drill': China's dominance over US shipbuilding sparks bipartisan effort
inFOX News— March 13, 2025
Chinese naval modernization may be aided by foreign firms, report says
Matthew P. Funaiole inThe Washington Post— March 12, 2025
China’s shipbuilding dominance poses economic and national security risks for the US, a report says
Matthew P. Funaiole inAP— March 11, 2025
Satellite Images Show Expansion of Suspected Chinese Spy Bases in Cuba
inThe Wall Street Journal— July 2, 2024
Hidden Reach in CNN - How China could take Taiwan without even needing to invade
inCNN— June 22, 2024
Chinese research ships increase activity near Taiwan
Matthew P. Funaiole inFinancial Times— February 26, 2024
China’s Shipyards Are Ready for a Protracted War. America’s Aren’t.
Matthew P. Funaiole inThe Wall Street Journal— February 13, 2024
Chinese PLA-linked vessels map the Indian Ocean for submarine warfare
Matthew P. Funaiole inThe Washington Post— January 10, 2024
Is peace in the Arctic melting?
Matthew P. Funaiole inBBC— October 22, 2023
The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials
Gregory C. Allen inCNN— October 11, 2023
Mining For Gallium: The Next Step Toward American Semiconductor Supremacy
Analysis inForbes— August 15, 2023
AllHidden Reach Content
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U.S. Policies Only Temporarily Shake China's Shipbuilding Dominance
New U.S. policies aimed atcurtailing China’s growing dominance over global shipbuilding went into effect on October 14. The rollout of these measures over the past year triggeredtemporary volatility in international ship ordering behavior but has not yet produced lasting change in China’s market position.
Analysis by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— October 16, 2025
Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?
An audio version of "Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?," a new Commentary 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— September 24, 2025
Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?
Washington is ramping up efforts to challenge China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, but newly analyzed data shows shipping companies are still turning to Chinese yards despite looming U.S. penalties.
Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— September 24, 2025
Beyond Rare Earths: China’s Growing Threat to Gallium Supply Chains
Two years after China imposed export controls on gallium—a critical input for semiconductors, radar, and defense systems—this brief assesses how the restrictions have impacted supply chains amid escalating U.S.-China economic competition.
Brief by Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Matthew P. Funaiole, Scott Thomsett, Simon Zieleniewski,and Tim Rose— July 17, 2025
No Safe Harbor: Evaluating the Risk of China's Port Projects in Latin America and the Caribbean
China's extensive influence at ports in Latin America and the Caribbean has come under immense scrutiny. This report analyzes 37 port projects and provides a new method for assessing their relative risk.
Digital Report by Henry Ziemer, Jaehyun Han,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— June 25, 2025
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
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
Unpacking the White House’s Executive Order on Restoring the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry
An ambitious new White House executive order seeks to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry. This article unpacks the dynamics driving the push to restore U.S. shipbuilding and how these measures are tied to competition with China.
Critical Questions by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart,and Aidan Powers-Riggs— April 10, 2025
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
