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China to posibly station troops 100 miles from US shores
China and Cuba are said to be engaged in high-level talks to create a shared military training center in Cuba. This has raised concerns as it would potentially allow China to station troops within 100 miles of U.S. shores.
The Wall Street Journal, the discussions regarding the facility located on Cuba’s northern coast are in an advanced stage but have not been finalized. In an effort to delay the agreement, the Biden administration has been in contact with Cuban officials, expressing worries about Cuba relinquishing its sovereignty to China.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">US would have 'deep concerns' about China military activities in Cuba, Blinken says <a href="https://t.co/6FVRQUsVqJ">https://t.co/6FVRQUsVqJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/YtbCgGdLUm">pic.twitter.com/YtbCgGdLUm</a></p>— Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1671349206198501377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The Journal disclosed that classified U.S. intelligence referenced the China-Cuba military training facility proposal. While the intelligence is not complete, it is regarded as compelling. If the facility is established, it could result in China hosting troops on a permanent basis in Cuba, thereby enhancing its intelligence-gathering capabilities against the United States.
The initiative, known as “Project 141,” forms part of China’s People’s Liberation Army strategy to create a worldwide network of military outposts. The White House has refrained from providing any comments or statements regarding this particular issue.
China’s interest in Cuba is believed to be a reaction to the U.S.’s relationship with Taiwan. Both Cuba and Taiwan are situated around 100 miles away from the mainland territories of the United States and China, respectively. Recently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing where he made it clear that the U.S. does not support Taiwan’s independence.
However, he reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities under the Taiwan Relations Act, which includes ensuring Taiwan’s ability to defend itself. Blinken also criticized China’s provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and East China Sea.
During Blinken’s visit, the United States expressed concerns about China’s intelligence operations in Cuba. In a statement, the State Department’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, emphasized the U.S.’s dedication to collaborating with its allies and partners in order to promote a world that is characterized by freedom, openness, and adherence to the rules-based international order.
This recent disclosure comes after previous reports regarding China’s intentions to establish a spy base in Cuba. Initially, these reports were refuted by John Kirby, the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council. However, the Biden administration subsequently confirmed the existence of at least four Chinese eavesdropping stations in Cuba, which have been operational since 2019, based on recently declassified intelligence.
