Chile evaluates the Chinese spatial cooperation according to Newsweek examination

In a potential setback for China's growing influence on Latin America and its ambitions in space, the Chilean government examines for a common astronomical observatory in Chile Newsweek Examination of the deal.

“We are aware of this, so we revise and analyze it” Newsweek by e -mail according to Chilean media reports that the project between the Chinese government and a Chilean private university was canceled.

The decision is made in the middle of a visible geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China, which can be clearly seen in Latin America. President Donald Trump's administration puts Panama under pressure on a deal to regain control of the Panama Canal from a Chinese company, Hong Kong's Hutchison ports.

Newsweek Reports that the observatory in Cerro-Vestarrones in the Chiles Atacama deserts a joint project of the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) and the national astronomical observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) (NAOC) (NAOC) (NAOC), the objects and at a distance, which also in Chinese, Chinese standing in which Chinese programs had decreased, and the chillies that also have research for China growth, and the Chileans, which were also able to organize research for China. In the astronomical park with 10 square kilometers on a rocky level under an 8,600-foot tumor summit.

Romero said that the project had not been canceled, but that it was analyzed by lawyers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The Foreign Ministry contacted the UCN authorities and the Chinese embassy in Chile to collect detailed information about the initiative.

“We should complete the analysis before we make a statement,” said Romero.

On March 6th, Athenalab, a Chilean security research center, released a report that was quoted Newsweek“Studies and said that such observatories usually pursue stars, but” also “monitor satellites, collect intelligence and support military space operations”.

Chilean Media Ex-One, quoted unnamed “high-ranking government sources”, reported that the project in the United States caused severe concerns that were communicated by the former Ambassador Bernadette Meehan in January. Representatives of the US State Department did not react immediately Newsweek's request for comment.

“The Biden management supposedly transmitted this

The Cerro-Ventarrrones project was not only an academic astronomy project, as was publicly claimed, but an infrastructure that can pursue satellites in orbit that could have strategic and defense implications, ”said ex-one.

In an article published on Saturday in ex-One, China's Ambassador Niu Qingbao described the project as “legitimate technological cooperation”. The political department of the Chinese embassy in Santiago referred Newsweek to comment on the article when asked.

“This exchange takes place according to the principles of mutual respect and benefits, equality and friendly voluntariness, in the strict compliance with the Chilean laws and regulations as well as with the support of governments, universities and research institutions of both countries,” Ni told ex-one.

“The binational institutions under construction work with complete transparency in their purposes and operations and are unclear,” said the Chinese envoy.

“It is worthwhile to emphasize the paradox that certain countries maintain hundreds of military bases abroad, whereby tens of thousands of troops are stationed there, while they are allowed to criticize themselves and to disrupt legitimate technological cooperation between other nations. This attitude represents a typical example of Hegemony and power police, something that Chileean chilite chilite -Chilit -chiliti -chiLitria clearly immerse yourself with chilitis and chilium -chilien -chilit -legits.

The Universidad Católica del Norte did not answer a request for comment.

Romero, the spokesman for the Chilean government, said: “We do not check any other dimension of our bilateral relationship with China.”

In December, Newsweek Had reported that Western Secret Services warned with direct knowledge of the agreement that the Chinese partner could possibly use special security measures that the Chilen could exclude from part of the location that was built and paid by the Chinese state. China initially invested 80 million US dollars in the construction and equipment of the site.

Chile has grown in China in recent years. Today 60 percent of its electrical network belong to Chinese companies and 40 percent of its exports go to China.

“We have a positive and strong relationship with China and to all of our partners abroad. Our relationship has a framework that defines by bilateral agreements and corresponds to the principles of international law,” said Romero.