The Chinese Embassy in Argentina has expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition to recent comments made by the commander of the U.S. Southern Command regarding China’s space cooperation with Argentina.
On April 2, U.S. General Laura Richardson met with Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires and voiced concerns about the Deep Space Station located in Neuquén province. The station, intended for radio astronomy, radar observations, and spacecraft missions, has been criticized by Richardson as providing the Chinese People’s Liberation Army with global tracking and surveillance capabilities.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Chinese Embassy refuted these claims, stating that the Deep Space Station is a civilian project with open and transparent operations. The embassy emphasized that the facility serves peaceful purposes and that China and Argentina have clarified its use on multiple occasions.
“Space is the common home of humanity, not an arena for power struggles,” the embassy declared, urging the United States to move beyond Cold War thinking and zero-sum games. The statement also highlighted the extensive network of U.S. military bases overseas, questioning their impact on global sovereignty and security.
The embassy accused the U.S. of applying double standards by politicizing and weaponizing technological cooperation between China and Argentina. It underscored that China-Argentina economic and trade cooperation is based on mutual respect and win-win principles, benefiting both nations.
Highlighting the successes of the Belt and Road Initiative, the embassy noted that over the past decade, it has driven nearly a trillion dollars in investment, created numerous jobs, and lifted millions out of poverty in partner countries. Under this framework, China and Argentina have implemented practical cooperation projects in energy, infrastructure, communications, and other fields.
The statement concluded by asserting that Latin American and Caribbean countries are independent sovereign states with the wisdom and ability to choose their cooperation partners. China expressed its commitment to continue working with Argentina on the basis of mutual benefit to promote development and enhance social welfare.
Reference(s):
China slams U.S. general's remarks on China-Argentina space project
cgtn.com
