US says Chinese satellite firm is supporting attacks on US interests

18/4/2025 5:50

The U.S. State

Department on Thursday accused a Chinese firm, Chang Guang

Satellite Technology, of directly supporting attacks on U.S.

interests by Iran-backed Houthi fighters and called this

"unacceptable".



Earlier, the Financial Times cited U.S. officials as saying

that the satellite company, linked to China's military, was

supplying Houthi rebels with imagery to target U.S. warships and

international vessels in the Red Sea.



"We can confirm the reporting that Chang Guang Satellite

Technology Company Limited is directly supporting Iran-backed

Houthi terrorist attacks on U.S. interests," State Department

spokesperson Tammy Bruce told a regular news briefing.



"China consistently attempts ... to frame itself as a global

peacemaker ... however, it is clear that Beijing and China-based

companies provide key economic and technical support to regimes

like Russia, North Korea and Iran and its proxies," she said.



Bruce said the assistance by the firm to the Houthis had

continued even though the United States had engaged with Beijing

on the issue.



"The fact that they continue to do this is

unacceptable," she said.



The spokesperson for China's Washington embassy, Liu

Pengyu, said he was not familiar with the situation, so had no

comment. The firm did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.



China is Washington's main strategic rival and the

latest charge comes as the two economic and military superpowers

are in a major standoff over trade in which



U.S. President Donald Trump



has dramatically ramped up tariffs on Chinese goods.