Houthis Utilize Commercial Chinese Satellites:
According to a recent Financial Times article, a Chinese commercial satellite company, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (CGSTL), has been providing Yemen's Houthis with satellite imagery of commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea. Citing unnamed U.S. officials, FT has been told that Trump administration officials have contacted their counterparts in Beijing "numerous times" and made them aware of CGSTL's actions. With no response from Chinese officials, U.S. decision-makers rightly concluded that the Chinese government was at least providing "tacit support" for CGSTL's exchange with the Houthis. When asked by FT, the Chinese embassy in Washington claimed ignorance.
While any such company in China is required to have relationships with the government, CGSTL's deep ties to the Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are readily apparent after just a brief look at their site. Photos and videos with provincial government officials dot the site, and a closer look reveals publication prompts for services that include titles such as "Research on Decision-Making Assistance...."
In the recent past, license-made Chinese missiles and weapons components, drone parts, and other equipment have been intercepted en route to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
