Chinese-Born Man Caught Filming U.S. Base

In a chilling case that underscores ongoing concerns about foreign surveillance of U.S. military assets, a 71-year-old Chinese-born Canadian citizen has pleaded guilty to flying a drone over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station—one of America’s most sensitive national security sites. Court documents reveal Xiao Guang Pan conducted multiple unauthorized aerial reconnaissance missions from January 5 to 7, capturing nearly 2,000 high-resolution photos and videos of critical military infrastructure, including naval submarine wharfs, munitions bunkers, and launch facilities used by top defense contractors. Despite claiming he was simply photographing sunrises, authorities uncovered undeniable evidence that Pan knowingly breached controlled airspace, even after receiving drone alerts and conducting Google satellite research of the installation. Federal investigators are now probing deeper into Pan’s actions, raising alarming questions about potential espionage and foreign intelligence links. Yet, despite the serious nature of the crime, Pan remains free and has even traveled back to Canada—fueling fears that America’s national security continues to be undermined by weak border enforcement and lenient responses to foreign interference.