Senior US officials say China has had intelligence collection facilities in Cuba for at least 4 years and they have conveyed their concerns to Havana.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Monday that the administration had been briefed about China's efforts to expand its spy bases around the world.

He said China is attempting to "project and sustain military power at a greater distance" and added that Beijing increased the number of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Monday that "this is not a new development."

When asked whether there had been any communication with the Cuban government about the spying, Kirby replied, "We've made our concerns known."

The Defense Department said in a report last year that the Chinese military was considering establishing military bases in Cambodia, Kenya, Tajikistan and other places.

The US administration is thought to be increasingly on guard as China steps up intelligence activities near the US mainland while also boosting its military strength.