Blinken: US Diplomacy has Slowed Chinese Spying Activity

Facts

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday stated that diplomatic actions taken by the Biden administration have slowed down a Chinese effort to expand its military and intelligence presence overseas.¹
• Though not disclosing every step taken to counter Beijing's alleged spying, he revealed that the US has engaged at high levels with governments that are weighing hosting China bases to exchange information with them.²
• The Biden admin. claims to have found the need to adopt a "more direct approach" to counter global efforts by Beijing, after the Trump administration allegedly failed to make enough progress on this matter.³
• China's intelligence-gathering operation in Cuba was reportedly "well-documented" when Biden took office, with Blinken adding that China upgraded its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019.⁴
• This comes after the White House confirmed that China is working to increase its spying efforts in Cuba — deeming it an "ongoing issue" — following reports that Beijing and Havana struck a deal to build a new spy base on the island.⁵
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, however, stated that allegations about spy operations in Cuba were fabrications. Even though Blinken is expected to travel to China this month on a rescheduled trip, Beijing has not yet confirmed the visit.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²Al Jazeera, ³Washington Examiner, ⁴VOA, ⁵FOX News, and ⁶Bloomberg.

Narratives

• Anti-China narrative, as provided by USA Today. Though the violation of American sovereignty posed by a potential Chinese spying base in Cuba cannot be compared to that of the spy balloon that flew across the US, it is infinitely more dangerous as it risks giving Beijing a permanent foothold in the Western Hemisphere. This move indicates another escalation of China's aggressive geopolitical expansion despite attempts by the Biden admin. to improve relations.
• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. Despite the US rhetorically stressing the importance of restoring high-level communication with China, its actions suggest other priorities. The fact that this absurd rumor emerged days ahead of Blinken's reported visit to Beijing is no coincidence, as the US government initially dodged this speculation before later adding new elements to it. It is time for the US to stop risking global peace over silly games.

Predictions