China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which started over a decade ago, was designed to expand its economic footprint globally through investments in infrastructure such as ports and railways. A recent report suggests that China has extended this strategy to space, marking a significant shift in its global influence. Beijing is actively constructing satellite ground stations and other space facilities across Africa, Latin America, and parts of the Global South to solidify its role as a key player in this domain. These installations provide essential support for countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Venezuela, Argentina, and Namibia that may lack the resources to develop their own space capabilities.
Experts emphasize that this development carries serious implications for the balance of power on the global stage. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights how China is embedding itself in the space programs of numerous nations, offering comprehensive services that cover everything from satellite design and manufacturing to launching and training. This extensive network of support enhances China’s influence and positions it for strategic advantages in future conflicts, as space becomes an increasingly crucial element of modern military power.
In Ethiopia, a newly enhanced satellite facility reflects China’s growing involvement, allowing the tracking of satellites in orbit. Similar facilities are seen in Egypt and Namibia. These sites are not merely for civilian communication; they also facilitate military operations, showcasing the dual-use nature of the technologies being deployed. Matthew Funaiole, a senior fellow at CSIS and the report’s co-author, pointed out, “Space is becoming central to economic power, national security, and military capability, and China is positioning itself accordingly.”
The report underscores that space is now treated as a critical battlefield alongside land, sea, air, and cyber domains. The necessity for constant satellite tracking and communication has propelled China to establish a global network of ground stations that enables it to manage and enhance its national security capabilities effectively. “Chinese-built ground stations can absolutely support civil and scientific missions — and they do,” Funaiole stated. “But they also provide China with the ability to level up its own national security capabilities.”
A significant concern arises from the unclear control of data flowing through these systems. The infrastructure marketed as commercial may also serve military purposes, allowing Beijing’s military organization, the People’s Liberation Army, access to sensitive information. “When you’re dealing with space technology in China, there’s always a question of who has access and what the data is being used for,” Funaiole remarked. This lack of transparency complicates the security landscape for nations that engage with Chinese technologies.
Beijing’s approach mirrors its Belt and Road Initiative, adapting it to provide a pathway to space for nations that may not have the capabilities to achieve such advancements independently. Funaiole noted that “there’s a lot of interest across Africa and Latin America in gaining access to space.” The lack of resources in many developing countries has allowed China to fill this gap, offering partnerships and access to advanced technology that many nations cannot obtain elsewhere.
The new China Space Cooperation Index ranks 64 countries based on their engagement with China, revealing that more than 75% of these countries are in the Global South. Africa is particularly notable in this respect, highlighting the continent’s importance in China’s strategic calculations. While China’s commercial space sector might lag behind that of the United States, it has reinforced its presence through state-backed financing and diplomatic connections, creating dependencies that are tough for these countries to break once established.
The United States continues to rely on a historical network of facilities in allied nations, developed primarily for military purposes. However, it has not leveraged space as a diplomatic tool in the same way China has. This oversight has allowed China to gain a foothold in space cooperation that could have implications for U.S. national security, particularly close to home in Latin America, where Beijing has formed deep partnerships with countries like Venezuela and Argentina.
As the U.S. acknowledges this shift in the global landscape, recent developments, such as the revitalization of the Monroe Doctrine under President Trump, reflect a desire to counter Chinese influence. Yet concerns remain about how Beijing’s investments in space could translate into long-term strategic advantages. The report warns that if China becomes the preferred partner for developing countries regarding space, it could lead to significant economic and security ramifications as the global space economy grows into a trillion-dollar enterprise in the coming decades.
Despite China’s rapid expansion into space, experts like Funaiole assert that the United States retains significant strengths. He points to companies like SpaceX, which are considered to be far ahead in capabilities compared to Chinese firms. However, the key question is whether Washington will treat space as a critical arena for strategic competition, deterrence, and diplomacy. “This isn’t an area where it’s too late,” Funaiole insists. “The U.S. still has the ability to provide a real alternative — but it requires sustained attention and commitment.”
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