A new report by Diálogo Americas says China is increasingly using space cooperation with countries in the Global South as a strategic tool to expand its technological influence and geopolitical presence, particularly in Latin America.

According to the report, Beijing is advancing its foreign policy goals through bilateral agreements that offer satellite design, construction, launch and operational services, along with technical training for partner nations.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that many of China’s space capabilities are dual-use, meaning they can serve both civilian and military purposes.

“Technologies such as Earth observation systems and satellite communication networks can support agriculture, disaster response and infrastructure planning, but they are also critical tools for intelligence gathering and national security,” the report said. It added that some organizations involved in overseas space projects maintain institutional links to China’s military space apparatus, underscoring the strategic implications of initiatives often presented as civilian.

Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, said China’s space diplomacy in the Western Hemisphere is part of a broader global strategy.

“China’s space diplomacy in the Western Hemisphere is part of its global architecture of access, denial and persistence, even if it is presented under civilian schemes,” Ellis told Diálogo. He added that China combines economic, technological and military objectives, using civilian cooperation to build long-term dependencies in the region.

One of the most controversial aspects of China’s growing presence is the establishment of ground stations. Ellis warned these facilities could provide access to strategic resources in the event of conflict.

He cited the Espacio Lejano Station in Argentina, a telemetry, tracking and control facility operated by China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General. A bilateral agreement grants China use of the facility for 50 years.

Beyond Neuquén, China operates multiple ground stations across the region, including in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela. A report by Synopsis said this infrastructure network expands Beijing’s ability to communicate with and control satellites from the Western Hemisphere.

Another initiative highlighted in the report is SpaceSail, a low Earth orbit satellite constellation developed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology. Brazil’s telecommunications regulator has authorized SpaceSail to provide broadband services in coordination with the state-owned company Telebras.

The constellation is licensed to operate up to 324 satellites in Brazil through 2031, with phased service rollout expected in the coming years. While primarily civilian, Ellis said the project could expose sensitive data to Chinese security and cybersecurity laws.

Brazil remains one of China’s key regional partners, particularly through the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) program, which develops joint Earth observation satellites. CBERS-6, announced in 2025, is designed to monitor the Amazon in all weather conditions using advanced radar imaging. The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2028, according to Brazilian media outlet TeleSíntese.

Although the program allows shared data use, launch services and several critical components depend on China, reinforcing technological reliance.

Ellis contrasted China’s approach with Western programs such as NASA Artemis program, which operate under transparent governance and clearly defined civilian mandates. Chinese projects, he said, often blend commercial, military and technological objectives.

China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system provides another example. Through cooperation agreements, Beijing has expanded its positioning, navigation and timing services across Latin America. While promoted for civilian uses such as agriculture and transportation, analysts say the system also has strong military applications.

According to Infobae, limited regulatory frameworks in parts of the region allow such technologies to operate with minimal oversight, raising concerns about data sovereignty and technological dependence.

China’s engagement extends beyond Brazil and Argentina. Over the past decade, Beijing has signed agreements across Latin America to develop satellite capabilities, finance infrastructure, provide launch services and train local personnel.

In Bolivia, China financed, built and launched the Túpac Katari telecommunications satellite, largely funded through Chinese loans and executed by state-owned enterprises.

Venezuela partnered with China to deploy the Venesat-1 communications satellite and the VRSS-1 remote sensing satellite. Both were manufactured in China and launched aboard Chinese rockets, with Venezuelan engineers trained in Chinese facilities.

In Chile, a proposed astronomical observation facility at Cerro Ventarrones in the Antofagasta region — involving National Astronomical Observatories of China and the Catholic University of the North — was suspended by the Chilean government after concerns over governance and oversight.

Experts noted that advanced astronomical infrastructure, while civilian in purpose, can also support satellite tracking and space situational awareness with potential strategic implications.

The report said China’s model stands out for integrating financing, manufacturing, launch services, ground infrastructure, training and long-term maintenance under Chinese technical standards. This vertically integrated approach creates long-term technological ecosystems tied to Chinese platforms.

Because many of these technologies, including telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation and data processing, have dual-use applications, the partnerships carry implications beyond their stated commercial or development goals.

The report concludes that China’s expanding space presence in Latin America reflects a broader effort to extend its geopolitical influence. Through ground infrastructure, satellite constellations and joint development programs, Beijing is building a network of partnerships that blends civilian and military capabilities and could create long-term strategic dependencies across the region.

As space becomes an increasingly contested domain, analysts warn that the expansion of Chinese-controlled infrastructure and data systems in Latin America could give Beijing greater strategic reach in the Western Hemisphere while deepening the region’s technological reliance.

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