US Already Engages in Power Struggle Ahead of China Visit: "China Expands Eavesdropping Bases in Cuba and Others"

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, who is scheduled to visit China this weekend, officially confirmed that China is attempting to expand military intelligence collection facilities (spy bases) worldwide, including in Cuba.

According to major foreign media on the 12th (local time), Secretary Blinken confirmed during a joint press conference held after talks with the Italian Foreign Minister at the State Department that "according to our intelligence, China upgraded its intelligence collection facility in Cuba in 2019," in relation to media reports that China is operating a listening post in Cuba.

Earlier, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 8th that China and Cuba had agreed to establish a listening post in Cuba capable of eavesdropping on the southeastern United States, where U.S. military bases are stationed, and in return, China would provide billions of dollars to economically struggling Cuba, citing anonymous officials.

WSJ quoted U.S. officials as saying, "China's plan to build a spy base in Cuba is credible based on intelligence gathered over the past few weeks." It is reported that if this base is established, it would be capable of collecting various military information such as telephone calls and satellite communications.

Immediately after the related suspicions surfaced, the White House denied the facts, stating that "the WSJ report is inaccurate," but reversed this stance just four days later. Therefore, there is analysis that this official statement serves as a preemptive move by the U.S. ahead of the meeting with Qin Gang, China's Foreign Minister, scheduled for the 18th in Beijing.

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State.
Photo by AP Yonhap News

Secretary Blinken also revealed that the Biden administration first became aware of such Chinese attempts at the start of its term but had not made sufficient progress in addressing them.

He explained, "At the beginning of the Biden administration in 2021, I was briefed on sensitive efforts by China to establish intelligence collection infrastructure that enables them to project and maintain military power at long distances and to expand their overseas logistics bases."

He mentioned, "China was reviewing many locations worldwide to expand its intelligence collection, including facilities in Cuba." In particular, he said, "Although the previous administration was aware of this and made some attempts to address such challenges, we assessed that we had not made sufficient progress on this issue," adding, "A more direct approach was needed, and President Biden instructed us to resolve it."

He further stated that while the Biden administration has engaged with the Chinese government, it has done so quietly and cautiously, and "our experts assess that these diplomatic efforts have delayed China's attempts to expand (intelligence collection facilities)."

Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken said he is currently assessing the situation regarding reports that Michael Travis Leake, a U.S. citizen, has been detained in Russia and that efforts are underway to secure consular access. Russia claims that Travis Leake is suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.