House Committee Probing Export Licensing Involving Chinese Presence in Cuba

House Select Committee on China Chair Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., is asking the Commerce Department for export licensing information involving Chinese companies with ties to Beijing’s expanding “signals intelligence” presence in Cuba. In a June 20 letter to Commerce and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Gallagher said China’s reported effort to expand its military and spy facilities in Cuba (see 2306130062) is likely being “aided” by Chinese telecommunications companies, including those that have violated U.S. export controls to acquire American intellectual property.

Gallagher asked the agencies whether they are aware of the “identities and activities of these companies and their contribution” to Chinese operations in Cuba and the number of export licenses that have been approved for shipments to those companies. He also asked for information on the number of export license application rejections, whether any of those companies have pending applications and whether the “Intelligence Community’s knowledge of these companies and their support to” China’s operations “factor in decisions on whether to grant licenses.”

“I look forward to working with you to ensure that American technology and products are not used to support intelligence efforts against the United States,” Gallagher said. Commerce and DNI didn’t comment.