Sino Cuban big ears spooks Yanks
What to make of reports that Cuba will host a Chinese spy base
Just when china and America seemed to be moving past the spy-balloon saga of February, a new flashpoint has emerged in the form of an alleged plan for China to establish a listening station in Cuba.
Chinese and Cuban authorities have reached a secret agreement on setting up the electronic eavesdropping facility, the Wall Street Journal reported on June 8th, quoting unidentified American officials. Other outlets, such as the New York Times and Politico, have since filed similar reports.
The Journal said China had agreed to pay Cuba several billion dollars in the deal.
The White House, the Pentagon and the Cuban government all denied the reports. “We are not aware of China and Cuba developing a new type of spy station,” said Brigadier-General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson. John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said the American government had real concerns about China’s relationship with Cuba but was confident it could meet America’s security commitments at home and in the region.
