- NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Status of Chinese Investments in Argentinian Lithium Mines
Chinese companies own or otherwise have significantly invested in six of 16 active lithium mining projects in Argentina, including four of the six most developed projects. Investment in these mines helps to further cement the People's Republic of China's dominance and control over the lithium industry, a mineral critical for the green-energy transition, particularly in the construction of lithium-ion batteries.
China's Interests in Montenegro: Alternative Analysis Case Study - Debt Traps Revisited
The Montenegrin-Chinese Belt Road Initiative (BRI) loan agreement of 2014 was expected to foster economic growth in Montenegro through the creation of a highway from Bar, Montenegro to Belgrade, Serbia. However, the high costs associated with this project ballooned Montenegro's debt to more than 100% of its GDP in late 2020.
China's High-Altitude Heliports: Examining PLA Helicopter Force Changes
Since 2017, the PLA has aggressively expanded its heliport network along the Sino-Indian border. The PLA's expansion is curious considering that many of its newest heliports are located at extreme elevations that may degrade its current vertical lift capability.
China's Growing 5G Presence in South America Poses Potential Security Threats to the Region
In 2017, a Chinese national security law mandated citizens and business entities comply with requests for information by Chinese intelligence agencies. With this law, the presence of Chinese telecommunications companies in South America poses potential security threats.