US accuses Chinese satellite firm of assisting Houthis in targeting Red Sea vessels

A Chinese satellite company with ties to Beijing’s military is reportedly supplying satellite imagery to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to help them target US warships and international vessels in the Red Sea, American officials claim.

Thus, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co Ltd (CGSTL), a commercial firm linked to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has been providing intelligence that enables Houthi attacks in one of the world’s most vital maritime routes, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

The Trump administration has repeatedly raised concerns with Beijing over CGSTL’s alleged support for the Houthis.

“The United States has raised our concerns privately numerous times to the Chinese government on Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co Ltd’s role in supporting the Houthis in order to get Beijing to take action,” said a senior State Department official.

The official added that China had “ignored” the warnings and described CGSTL’s actions, as well as “Beijing’s tacit support,” as “yet another example of China’s empty claims to support peace.” He continued, “We urge our partners to judge the Chinese Communist party and Chinese companies on their actions, not their empty words.”

Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, echoed the allegations, stating CGSTL was “directly supporting Iran-backed Houthi terrorist attacks on US interests.” She added, “The US will not tolerate anyone providing support to foreign terrorist organisations such as the Houthis.”

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have been escalating amid a widening trade dispute, with the Trump administration imposing a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports. The timing of the accusations against CGSTL coincides with intensified US military operations against the Houthis in Yemen following attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in 2023.

Despite US calls for China to leverage its influence over Iran to restrain the Houthis, officials say there is no sign Beijing has acted.

China’s embassy in Washington responded to the claims by saying it was “not aware of the relevant situation.”

CGSTL, founded in 2014, has previously faced US sanctions over its alleged provision of high-resolution imagery to Russia’s Wagner Group. Experts describe it as deeply embedded in China’s military-civil fusion system, supplying surveillance capabilities to both civilian and military clients.

The Pentagon has expressed growing concern about China’s space ambitions, noting that CGSTL could have 300 satellites in orbit by the end of 2025, capable of revisiting any global location every 10 minutes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev