Monday, September 21, 2026 - China has expanded surveillance and communications capabilities at its military base in Djibouti, just miles from the main U.S. military base in the country, according to a new analysis of satellite imagery.
The facilities include antennas, satellite communications equipment and other systems that analysts say could allow Beijing to monitor military activity across the region.
The developments come just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington for talks with President Donald Trump from September 23 to 25.
Former Trump administration official Morgan Murphy warned that the expanded Chinese presence could give Beijing a stronger intelligence picture of U.S. and allied military operations around the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The satellite imagery does not establish that China is actively intercepting U.S. communications, but the reported construction points to a significant expansion of Beijing's surveillance infrastructure near American forces.
With Xi's Washington visit approaching, the developments add another sensitive security issue to an already closely watched U.S.-China relationship.
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