China’s spy bases in Cuba could be key in a Taiwan war

China’s secret spy bases in Cuba signal a new front in Beijing’s global intelligence game by targeting America’s southeastern seaboard.

This month, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report saying that China is likely operating multiple spy facilities in Cuba, judging by satellite imagery and open-source information.

CSIS notes these facilities are strategically positioned to monitor sensitive communications and activities in the US southeastern seaboard, home to numerous military bases and space launch centers.

The report highlights four active sites in Cuba capable of conducting electronic surveillance operations: Bejucal, El Salao, Wajay and Calabazar. The largest is near Bejucal, which is known for its Cold War history.

The report notes that the El Salao site near Santiago de Cuba is under construction and will apparently house a large circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA) for enhanced air and maritime domain awareness.

The CSIS report notes that the presence of these facilities underscores China’s ambition to expand its global intelligence-gathering capabilities and provide Beijing with a significant intelligence window into the region.

It also sheds light on the political and strategic motivations behind China’s presence in Cuba, including its support for one of the world’s few remaining Communist Party-led governments and the potential for access to military installations.

The CSIS report suggests that even limited access to these SIGINT capabilities would significantly enhance China’s ability to monitor and communicate with its space assets and intercept data from US satellites.

It says that China’s spy facilities in Cuba raise concerns for US policymakers and regional