Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The diplomatic tension between the United States, China, and Argentina has intensified following comments by the US ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, questioning the presence of Chinese Armed Forces in the Argentina province of Neuquén. Stanley expressed surprise and concern over the alleged secret operation of Chinese soldiers at the Space Station in the province, citing a lack of transparency regarding their activities.
However, Argentina’s Minister of the Interior, Guillermo Francos, emphasized that issues related to the space base in Neuquén are clear and have been discussed with the Argentine government, dismissing Stanley’s concerns as “personal assessments.”
The Chinese Embassy in Argentina strongly rejected the claims of the US ambassador, and labeled his comments as “inappropriate.” They clarified that the Space Station in Neuquén is a space technology cooperation facility between China and Argentina, primarily intended for scientific and civilian research, with open access for both Argentine and Chinese scientists.
They also highlighted that the base is not used for military purposes and provides measurement and control services for Chinese aerospace projects in collaboration with Argentina’s National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE). The Chinese Embassy underscored the civilian and transparent nature of the station, noting that diplomatic delegations, including those from the US, have visited the facility in the past.
This exchange of statements occurs in a context of increased competition in the field of space research, where China has demonstrated interest in advancing technology and space exploration. The US on the other hand, has expressed concerns about the potential dual use of Chinese space facilities and their impact on national security.
The Space Station in Neuquén has come under scrutiny from the US in the past, as they have warned of possible risks to regional security. Meanwhile, Argentina has defended its cooperation with China in the space field as part of its policy of technological and scientific development, seeking to leverage the benefits of international collaboration in this field.
Amid these diplomatic tensions, the space station in Neuquén remains a strategic point of interest for both China and Argentina, while the US continues to closely monitor the situation in the region and its potential impact on global space geopolitics.
Main source:
La embajada china en Argentina responde a la de Estados Unidos sobre el uso de la estación de Neuquén | C5N (2024, abril 1). https://www.c5n.com/sociedad/la-embajada-china-argentina-responde-la-estados-unidos-el-uso-la-estacion-neuquen-n152541
Other related sources:
Neuquén en medio de una polémica entre China y EEUU | Diariamente Neuquén (2024, abril 1). https://www.diariamenteneuquen.com.ar/noticias/2024/04/01/18057-neuquen-en-medio-de-una-polemica-entre-china-y-eeuu
Tras declaraciones de Stanley, embajada de China reivindicó la tarea de la Base Espacial en Neuquén | Ámbito (2024, abril 1). https://www.ambito.com/politica/tras-declaraciones-stanley-embajada-china-reivindico-la-tarea-la-base-espacial-neuquen-n5974417
Las Fuerzas armadas chinas “operan en Neuquén en secreto” | Mejor Informado (2024, marzo 31). https://www.mejorinformado.com/regionales/2024/3/31/las-fuerzas-armadas-chinas-operan-en-neuquen-en-secreto-120242.html