Report: China, Cuba in Talks To Open Military Training Site

Facts

• China and Cuba are in talks to build a new joint military training facility on the northern coast of the Caribbean island, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed US officials.¹
• The alleged bilateral talks are at an advanced stage, according to the newspaper, raising concerns in Washington that the joint effort could lead to China permanently stationing troops in Cuba and expanding its alleged spying activities against the US.²
• The Biden admin. reportedly contacted Cuban officials to prevent the alleged deal, which is said to be part of an initiative by the Chinese military to expand its global military footprint and logistical operations network, codenamed "Project 141."³
• Earlier in June, the Wall Street Journal claimed that China reached a secret agreement with Cuba to establish an electronic eavesdropping facility to collect electronic communications about 100 miles (160km) from Florida.⁴
• However, both the White House and Pentagon later said the report was inaccurate, with the Biden admin. acknowledging the existence of a Chinese spy station in Cuba that reportedly dates back to at least 2019 and received unspecified upgrades.⁵
• The new report comes as US Sec. of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his visit to China on Monday, saying he had agreed with China's Pres. Xi Jinping to "stabilize" deteriorating bilateral relations, but they had not reached an agreement on resuming military-to-military contacts.⁶

Sources: ¹Wall Street Journal, ²Bloomberg, ³MSN, ⁴Guardian, ⁵Washington Post, and ⁶PBS NewsHour.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. The hype about the so-called Chinese spy balloons has hardly vanished into thin air when the US media and certain circles of the US political establishment come up with fresh tales to undermine any meaningful Sino-US dialogue. The allegations are all the more remarkable given that it is the US that maintains the world's largest network of military bases and spy posts, even in Cuba. Washington should take a hard look at itself before projecting its own activities onto others and claiming the moral high ground.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided FOX News. The latest news about military and intelligence cooperation between China and Cuba is reminiscent of the darkest days of the Cold War. Through their malign activities, the two communist regimes pose a threat not only to the national security of the US but also to that of the entire free world. Even if not all reports are 100% accurate, one thing is certain: Washington must not downplay the threat and act promptly and decisively to counter this growing and perilous alliance in the US' backyard.

Predictions