The Chilean government is revising its agreement with China for a joint astronomical observatory after concerns surfaced from a Newsweek investigation. The project’s potential military implications have raised alarms amid U.S.-China rivalry in the region. Chilean officials persist in seeking clarity on the agreement’s nature before making definitive decisions, amid ongoing scrutiny of China’s influence in Latin America.

The Chilean government is evaluating a joint agreement for an astronomical observatory with China, following a Newsweek investigation that raised concerns about the project. Benjamin Aguirre Romero, the director of strategic communications at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed, “We are aware of it, so we are revising and analyzing it,” amid unverified reports that the project with a Chilean private university had been canceled.

This review occurs within a tense geopolitical context between the United States and China, as exemplified by the Trump administration’s pressure on Panama regarding the Panama Canal. The observatory project at Cerro Ventarrones, supported by the Universidad Católica del Norte and China’s National Astronomic Observatory, aimed to monitor both celestial bodies and possibly support military space endeavors, leaving Chilean stakeholders uninformed.

Romero indicated that the project remains under review rather than canceled, stating, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted UCN authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Chile to gather detailed information about the initiative.” The legal department is currently examining the agreement’s specifications.

A report by AthenaLab noted that such observatories hold a dual purpose, tracking stars while also potentially gathering intelligence. Chilean media also disclosed that former U.S. ambassador Bernadette Meehan expressed significant U.S. concerns regarding the project to Chilean officials in January. Ex-Ante reported that the U.S. administration asserted the observatory was more than an academic venture, serving as an infrastructure to monitor satellites and suggesting implications for U.S. national security.

In response, Chinese ambassador Niu Qingbao defended the project as “legitimate technological cooperation,” emphasizing respect for Chilean regulations. He criticized foreign interjections, asserting, “Any attempt to interfere with or obstruct legitimate astronomical cooperation between China and Chile will fail.”

While Romero clarified that Chile is reassessing the observatory deal only, he affirmed, “We have a positive and strong relationship with China… aligned with international law principles.” Chile has cultivated closer ties with China in recent years, with a significant share of its electrical grid under Chinese ownership and substantial exports directed to China.

The Universidad Católica del Norte did not provide a response to inquiries regarding the project. Further details surrounding the agreement remain subject to scrutiny by Chilean officials.

The revision of the astronomical observatory agreement highlights concerns over China’s influence in Latin America amidst U.S. strategic interests. The Chilean government is currently assessing the contractual implications of the project. With geopolitical tensions rising, both nations’ commitments and transparency concerning technological cooperation will likely remain under careful consideration. The outcome of this review could impact future bilateral relations between Chile and China, illustrating broader global dynamics.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com

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