I don't have the orbital parameters for the latest flight handy, but all of the previous flights were launched into orbits with an inclination of approximately 41-42 degress. That isn't a very good orbit for reconnaissance. First, the ground covered would only be the same latitude north and south as the inclination (plus a bit more, depending on the cameras' field of view. That means it could only go about as far north as Chicago. That still covers most of the main 48 states but leaves out our missile fields, major northern cities, and much of Europe as well as most of Russia.

Second, that orbit is no where near the best inclination for reconnaissance, a sun-synchronous orbit usually inclined about 96 degrees. In the present orbit, images would be taken at different sun angles, which makes analysis much more difficult. With a sun-synch orbit, the sun angles at a given location are always the same, making it a lot easier to measure things based on their shadows. While the orbital module has a proven maneuvering capability, there's no way it could carry enough propellant to change the inclination over 50 degrees.

If those portals are cameras (and they may well be), then perhaps they're planning on taking images of opportunity. Previous Chinese spy satellites have been film return systems. This one probably wouldn't be film return unless there are some reentry canisters inside. If it takes imagery and transmits that to the ground, you'd think there would be a high-gain antenna on board (unless they're using a docking radar antenna for the purpose).

Here's more speculation on possible military uses for the orbital module.