By Diego López Beltrán | 2024-04-15

BUENOS AIRES -- A Chinese-controlled space observation base situated in southern Argentina has drawn public scrutiny, moving President Javier Milei's government to announce a coming inspection.

Concerns have been raised regarding Beijing's potential military utilization of the facility.

In an interview with journalist Alejandro Fantino on April 8, Milei stated that the Chinese space base "will undergo a thorough audit."

He did not specify a date.

"The Chinese claim that there is nothing (to hide). What then is the problem?" he asked.

This is the Espacio Lejano station, situated north of Bajada del Agrio in the province of Neuquen, approximately 1,200km from Buenos Aires.

Construction of the Espacio Lejano station commenced in 2014 following a series of scientific cooperation agreements signed between Argentina's National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE) and the China State Agency for Launching, Tracking, and General Control of Satellites (CLTC), an entity within the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The complex, China's sole space observation base abroad, commenced operations in 2017 within a 200-hectare facility provided by the provincial government under a 50-year lease agreement with the CLTC.

Lack of transparency

The station comprises a network of antennas, anchored by a primary 35-meter-diameter antenna, specifically engineered to track space missions going farther than 300,000km from Earth.

The base has emerged as a critical issue in Argentine foreign policy and defense, amidst growing concerns about a lack of transparency about operations conducted at the station.

During his visit to Buenos Aires, Kevin Sullivan, the US deputy assistant secretary of State for South America, reiterated his call for "transparency" regarding the activities conducted at Espacio Lejano during a news conference on April 10.

"Transparency is important so that Argentines can know the activities being carried out. With China, transparency always helps to provide peace of mind and eliminate concerns that may exist, and I understand that it is something that also concerns the government of President Milei," he said.

A few days prior, the American ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, also raised concerns about the potential military use of the base, since the CLTC is a branch of the Chinese military.

"I am surprised that Argentina allows the Chinese armed forces to operate in Neuquén," said Stanley in an interview published in the newspaper La Nación on March 31.

An addendum to the agreement, signed in 2016, prohibits any military use of the space base.

Inspection

The Argentine government aims to ensure that the activities conducted at the station align with the scientific functions outlined in the agreement.

To this end, the government announced plans to visit the facilities, without specifying a date for the inspection.

Additionally, it will meticulously review all contracts, agreements, and both public and classified documents associated with Espacio Lejano.

As per the agreement, CONAE is entitled to utilize at least 10% of the allocated observation time for its scientific pursuits. The government intends to devote this portion of time to a comprehensive inspection of the activities at the station.

On April 5, presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni stated in the press that the government perceives the activities at the station as primarily scientific and investigative. However, technical inspections deemed necessary will occur regardless, he said.

Sources consulted by La Nación confirmed the government's intention of inspecting the base, although they did not provide specific details.

In a series of messages published on X at the beginning of April, the Chinese embassy in Argentina reiterated the project's focus on technological cooperation.