China slams US as tensions rise over space observatory project in Chile
Representative AI image
China on Tuesday pushed back against the United States concerns over its growing presence in Chile, defending a Chinese astronomical project in the country's north as tensions rise over Beijing's influence in South America.
During a press conference in Santiago, Chinese Ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, criticised US for meddling in Chile's autonomous decisions and disseminating false information about the project.
The astronomical initiative originated from a 2023 collaboration between China's National Astronomical Observatory and Chile's Catholic University of the North, planning a space observatory in the Atacama Desert.
The proposed telescope would focus on observing near-Earth asteroids and comets. The initiative became caught in the ongoing US-China competition during the Trump administration.
Washington's concerns increased regarding China's presence in the Americas, as Beijing increased its investments in Latin American infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and mining sectors, surpassing the US as the region's primary trading partner.
At his Senate confirmation hearing in early month, Trump's Chile ambassador nominee Brandon Judd expressed concerns about China's presence in this stable South American nation. He pledged to demonstrate American superiority as a trading partner.
"We are the better partner in everything, whether it's Antarctica, fisheries, marine conservation - in all of the areas that are very important to Chile," Judd told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Associated Press reported.
"We will continue to strengthen our ties to Chile and limit China's access to all of the resources that Chile might have available," Judd added.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen viewed China's planned Chilean telescope and its Argentine space station as indicators of Beijing's global aspirations.
"China is increasing its influence throughout Latin America, throughout Africa, throughout the world, at a time when the United States is pulling back," Shaheen said.
"That is not in our security interest," Shaheen added.
The Chilean government subsequently suspended the project for review, with the Foreign Ministry stating its scope needed clarification.
Despite China's denials of military purposes, US officials expressed concerns about these space facilities potentially enhancing China's intelligence capabilities.
Ambassador Niu rejected these concerns on Tuesday, stating China had no geopolitical interests. He accused the US of creating tensions by mischaracterising Chinese projects.
He compared the proposed observatory to existing telescopes in northern Chile, including the American-funded Rubin Observatory launching later this year.
"We are closely monitoring the developments of the incident and hope that the Chilean side can eliminate US interference and approve the implementation of the project as soon as possible," Niu said.
The US State Department offered no immediate response to the ambassador's statements.
Chilean government spokesperson Aisen Etcheverry confirmed discussions with both the northern Catholic university and Chinese National Astronomical Observatory regarding the project's alignment with Chilean regulations.
Various nations including the US, European Union, and Australia operate observatories in Chile's Atacama Desert. The region's unique characteristics - high altitude, dry climate, stable air, and the Andes Mountains' protection - create ideal conditions for astronomical observation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump's LA crackdown: Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed; protesters flood streets
Federal troops are now patrolling parts of Los Angeles after President Donald Trump authorised the deployment of the National Guard, declaring that 'violent, insurrectionist mobs' were attacking federal agents in an effort to halt ongoing deportation operations. The move has sparked fierce political backlash and led to violent confrontations in the streets. 'This is a migrant invasion,' Trump wrote on Truth Social, accusing protesters of trying to obstruct federal law enforcement. 'These lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.' The President confirmed he had ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi to do 'all such action necessary' to secure Los Angeles and continue deportations. Despite the escalating situation, Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807, though he has hinted he may consider broader military intervention if unrest spreads. 'We're not going to let this happen to our country,' he told reporters. 'We're going to have troops everywhere.' California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the deployment as a 'serious breach of state sovereignty' and urged federal officials to withdraw the Guard immediately. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Clashes erupt outside federal detention centre Tensions boiled over on Sunday in downtown Los Angeles as hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where detainees from recent immigration raids were being held. Protesters chanted 'shame' and 'go home' at National Guard troops stationed outside, while law enforcement fired tear gas, smoke canisters and rubber bullets to clear the streets. The Los Angeles Police Department declared the demonstration an 'unlawful assembly' and authorised the use of 'less lethal munitions' to disperse the crowd. Protesters later blocked traffic on the 101 freeway in response. A helicopter circling above the protest issued warnings to disperse, while social media updates from LAPD Central Division warned that anyone remaining risked arrest. Governor Newsom decries 'inflammatory' federal action Governor Newsom has requested the return of control over the Guard, arguing in a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that local authorities were better positioned to manage the situation. 'We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved,' Newsom said. 'The decision to deploy the National Guard without appropriate training or orders risks seriously escalating the situation.' He also accused the administration of trying to 'inflame tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed.' Several Democratic governors issued a joint statement condemning Trump's move as 'an alarming abuse of power,' echoing Newsom's call to restore local authority. Federal agents and Guard confront protesters in Paramount Clashes also occurred on Saturday in Paramount, a predominantly Latino city south of Los Angeles, as protesters confronted agents near ICE offices. Demonstrators reportedly threw rocks and cement chunks at law enforcement vehicles. A federal officer was injured, and the FBI has offered a \$50,000 reward for information on the suspect. In response, federal agents deployed tear gas, pepper balls and flash-bangs to disperse the crowd. Trump threatens wider crackdown Trump told reporters that California officials who attempt to block deportations could face criminal charges. 'If officials stay in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges,' he said. The President also suggested the deployment of additional troops, including active-duty Marines, if violence continues. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth backed this stance, warning of further escalation if the unrest persists. Divided political response The deployment has sharply divided political leaders. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the President's move, blaming Newsom for failing to control protests. 'Gavin Newsom has shown an inability or an unwillingness to do what is necessary, so the president stepped in,' he said. By contrast, Senator Bernie Sanders accused Trump of 'moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism' and warned of an erosion of Congressional authority. Mexican President defends migrants Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a strong defence of her citizens living in the US, saying, 'They migrate out of necessity… they are not criminals.' She promised support to any migrants wishing to return home and insisted that 'human rights must always be respected.'
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Markets with Bertie: The upsides of Liberation Day
Last week, Bertie found himself in Delhi meeting bureaucrats, journalists and politicians of all stripes. In the formal sessions, political correctness reigned, but Bertie has been doing policy trips long enough to know that the real juice starts flowing only during the cocktail hour. Unsurprisingly, President Trump's Liberation Day tariffs and how soon India could do a trade deal were the centrepiece of discussions. Bertie was told in hushed tones that the American trade negotiators were staying in the same hotel as the policy tour participants, as if physical proximity to them would also mean a faster flow of information. This, thought Bertie, was taking the concept of co-location too far, but it did make him peer at every Westerner at the hotel a few seconds longer than he normally would in the hope of guessing who the constituents of the negotiating party were. Also read: Donald Trump warns of 'economic ruination' if courts block his tariff authority In the evening, a small informal group gathered around a former senior bureaucrat, where again the topic of tariffs came up. The general tone was one of ruefulness, with some members of the group lamenting the spectre of lower export growth from India and a possible increase in unemployment. The old bureaucrat took all this in but, in his famous measured tone, countered that it was not all gloom and doom. 'There is a silver lining. Pretty big one at that." The chatter at the table died down, and an air of anticipation hung. The former mandarin did not disappoint. 'Trade barriers in India have been going up for the past few years. There is a reason why the US President calls us tariff king." Everyone agreed that tariffs had indeed been going up. The bureaucrat tilted his head slightly towards a few Americans hanging at the bar and said, 'If the deal means that tariff barriers come down, if not completely, at least in line with the rest of the world, that would be an important reform." There were thoughtful nods around the table. Also read: 'Provide your best offer…': Trump admin pushes countries to seal the trade deal as tariff deadline looms The official went on to highlight the second silver lining. 'Everyone is talking to us, and we are talking to everyone for a trade deal." He explained that these deals had been meandering through a thicket of red tape on both sides for years, but if US actions injected a sense of urgency in these negotiations, it would be a welcome change. 'We could have an agreement with EU (the European Union) within a year. Who would have thought?" he said happily. 'And finally, we might save some foreign exchange," he said with a twinkle in the eye. 'If the US President stops Ivy League colleges from taking in foreign students, we might save some dollars." Bertie, who has no kids, guffawed at this but wasn't joined by the group of his middle-aged peers whose kids' American dreams were now under a cloud. Every silver lining, Bertie thought, has a cloud. Also read: Trump says Xi agreed to restart the flow of rare earth minerals. Why are rare earths important for Chinese economy?
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
The rise and fall of Trump and Musk's partnership
Last week, the Internet witnessed the spectacular implosion of one of the most unconventional alliances in modern American politics. What had once been an uneasy partnership between the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X, Elon Musk, and U.S. President Donald Trump, blew into a full-blown public feud. Mr. Musk accused the 78-year-old President of 'total ingratitude', posting on X: 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election. Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51–49 in the Senate.' To this, Mr. Trump shot back on Truth Social, saying, 'I would have won Pennsylvania regardless of Elon. I'm very disappointed with Elon.' But the rift had not appeared overnight. Their relationship had been fraying for months — quietly at first, then more openly, until it finally collapsed. A rocky start Mr. Musk was never a fan of Mr. Trump. In the lead-up to the 2016 election, Mr. Musk openly supported Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. 'I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy,' he said of Mr. Trump at the time in an interview with CNBC. 'He doesn't seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States.' Yet, after Mr. Trump won the election, Mr. Musk joined a handful of White House advisory boards, including Mr. Trump's 'manufacturing jobs council'. The alliance did not last long. Mr. Musk left those roles just months later, citing Mr. Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords. 'Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world,' he tweeted in June 2017. Over the years, their paths occasionally crossed, but the relationship remained distant. In 2020, Mr. Trump, at the SpaceX launch in Florida, praised Mr. Musk, saying: 'I speak to him all the time. Great guy. He's one of our great brains. We like great brains. And Elon has done a fantastic job.' Mr. Musk, however, did not reciprocate the praise. Later in 2022, Mr. Musk purchased Twitter and later rebranded it as 'X' in July 2023. One of his first moves was to reinstate Mr. Trump's previously banned account (after finding his tweets were 'highly likely to encourage and inspire people to replicate the criminal acts' that took place in the January 6 Capitol attack.) Though Mr. Trump did not immediately return to posting on X, Mr. Musk's move was largely seen as pro-Trump. Around the same time, he also began aligning more openly with Republicans. 'In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party. But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them,' Mr. Musk tweeted. Growing camaraderie By 2024, as Mr. Trump prepared for a second term in the White House, their camaraderie deepened, with Mr. Musk playing an increasingly visible role in backing Mr. Trump's campaign and policies. He officially endorsed the Republican candidate, following an assassination attempt on Mr. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. 'I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,' Mr. Musk had tweeted. It was seen as a striking moment of public solidarity. Not only did Mr. Musk use his X social media platform to boost Mr. Trump's efforts to get re-elected, but also offered financial support. Mr. Musk's pro-Trump spending group America PAC also played a major role in helping mobilise and register voters in battleground States that could decide the election. The Guardian reported that Mr. Musk spent almost $300 million in support of Mr. Trump. On the night of the election victory, Mr. Trump had said, 'A star is born', referring to Mr. Musk. And days later, the Tesla CEO emerged as a key ally of the President. He was appointed to lead a newly created government cutting agency, called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Two weeks into the job, Mr. Musk said he loved Mr. Trump 'as much as a straight man can love another man'. Their closeness was on full display from flying together on Air Force One to dancing together on New Year's Eve to the disco hit YMCA. Democrats jokingly even referred to Mr. Musk as 'President Elon.' In a joint interview with Fox News in February, both heaped praise on each other. Mr. Trump said that Mr. Musk and his '100 geniuses' were ensuring his executive orders got implemented to avoid the experience of past administrations that were frustrated by bureaucracy. 'He has got some very brilliant young people working for him that dress much worse than him actually. They dress in just t-shirts; you would not know they have 180 IQ,' Mr. Trump said, praising Mr. Musk as a 'leader' who 'gets it done'. Mr. Musk, in return, praised the leader. And in March, the White House lawn was turned into a Tesla showroom. Mr. Trump stepped out from a shiny red Model S instead of his usual black Limousine, and later he even purchased the car. However, seven months later, the bromance began to cool. In April, Mr. Musk said he would be spending less time at the DOGE. The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr. Musk's White House visits declined towards the end of his tenure. At first, he was there five to seven days a week. Then three. By the end, only occasionally. Tensions boil In May, tension started to simmer. Mr. Musk criticised the White House-backed tax and budget proposal, known as the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act. 'I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending Bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Mr. Musk told the TV programme CBS Sunday Morning. Mr. Trump, however, was reportedly less angry than some of his advisers about Mr. Musk's criticism, according to The Wall Street Journal. On May 31, the two men made a public appearance together in the Oval Office to mark the end of the tech billionaire's tenure as a special government employee, after 138 days in the office. Even then, Mr. Trump insisted that Mr. Musk was 'not really leaving' his team. Breaking point But once out, the billionaire resumed his criticism against the 'Big Beautiful Bill', saying it would drive up the federal budget deficit and undo the cost-cutting work of DOGE. 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,' Mr. Musk wrote on X on June 1. Mr. Trump responded sharply days later, expressing dismay. ' I'm very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this Bill better than almost anybody sitting here,' he said. ' He had no problem with it. All of a sudden, he had a problem.' The spat intensified to a level that Mr. Musk even floated the idea of launching a new political party in America in a poll on X, that would represent 'the 80% in the middle'. He also levelled major allegations against Mr. Trump, saying the President was named in the unreleased Epstein files, a reference to documents linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He later deleted this tweet. To this, Mr. Trump went on his Truth Social platform on Friday and posted a statement attributed to the Epstein criminal defence attorney David Schoen that vehemently denied Mr. Musk's accusation. Mr. Trump, meanwhile, also threatened to cancel Mr. Musk's U.S. government contracts, and the President's ally Steve Bannon suggested that the South African-born American citizen 'should be deported from the country immediately'. The financial fallout was swift and severe. Tesla's shares tumbled 14.2%, wiping approximately $152 billion off its market value. Mr. Musk's personal net worth plunged by $33 billion on June 6 alone. By the end of the week, the usually outspoken billionaire had gone quiet — sidelined, isolated, and, some say, stunned. The Trump campaign, meanwhile, has reportedly begun exploring alternative tech partnerships, with names like Peter Thiel and Palantir-linked firms. Whether this is a temporary rift or the final chapter in their alliance remains to be seen. But for now, the bromance is over.
