Latest news with #NationalAstronomicalObservatory
Korea Herald
30-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
China lashes out at US as tensions escalate over observatory in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — China struck a defiant stance on Tuesday in response to American concerns about Beijing's efforts to expand its influence in the resource-rich South American nation of Chile, escalating tensions over a Chinese astronomical venture in Chile's arid north. At a press conference Tuesday in Chile's capital of Santiago, China's ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, lambasted the United States for 'interfering in Chile's sovereign right to independently choose its partners' and spreading "disinformation about the project.' The astronomy project stems from a 2023 agreement between China's state-run National Astronomical Observatory and Chile's Catholic University of the North to work on a powerful space observatory in the country's vast northern Atacama Desert. The proposed high-resolution telescope would be able to observe near-Earth objects, which are classified as asteroids or comets. But the project quickly became entangled in China's spiraling rivalry with the Trump administration . Worries in Washington have mounted over China's clout on America's doorstep , as Beijing builds infrastructure, boosts investment in agriculture, energy, mining and other sectors across Latin America and displaces the US as the region's biggest trading partner. During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, Brandon Judd, Trump's nominee for US ambassador to Chile, raised alarm about China's growing footprint in one of Latin America's most prosperous and stable countries. As ambassador, he said he would seek to persuade Chile that 'we are the better trade 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. "We will continue to strengthen our ties to Chile and limit China's access to all of the resources that Chile might have available.' In grilling Judd, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire described China's planned telescope in Chile — as well as its space mission control station already operating in neighboring Argentina — as markers for Beijing's global power ambitions. '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.' As US concern grew, the Chilean government announced it was suspending the project for review. 'Its scope remains to be clarified,' the Chilean Foreign Ministry said. Although China denies that the project has any military purpose, American officials have raised fears about the potential of such space observatories to increase China's intelligence-gathering capabilities. Ambassador Niu dismissed those fears on Tuesday, saying, 'China has no interest in geopolitics." He accused the US of provoking tensions by 'defaming Chinese projects by invoking geopolitical arguments.' He claimed the proposed observatory was 'of the same nature' as the many other telescopes in northern Chile, including an American-funded telescope known as the Rubin Observatory coming into operation 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 State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ambassador's remarks. Chile's government spokesperson, Aisen Etcheverry, said authorities were talking with both the private Catholic university in the country's north and the Chinese National Astronomical Observatory 'to understand whether this astronomical project falls within Chile's institutional framework.' The US , the European Union, Australia and a range of other countries operate observatories in Chile's Atacama Desert. The region's geography — bone-dry and high-altitude, with steady air and the cloud-blocking Andes Mountains to the east — produces exceptionally clear conditions that have made it a major hub for global astronomy.
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Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
China lashes out at US as tensions escalate over space observatory in Chile
China struck a defiant stance on Tuesday in response to American concerns about Beijing's efforts to expand its influence in the resource-rich South American nation of Chile, escalating tensions over a Chinese astronomical venture in Chile's arid north. At a press conference Tuesday in Chile's capital of Santiago, China's ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, lambasted the United States for interfering in Chile's sovereign right to independently choose its partners and spreading "disinformation about the project. The astronomy project stems from a 2023 agreement between China's state-run National Astronomical Observatory and Chile's Catholic University of the North to work on a powerful space observatory in the country's vast northern Atacama Desert. The proposed high-resolution telescope would be able to observe near-Earth objects, which are classified as asteroids or comets. But the project quickly became entangled in China's spiralling rivalry with the Trump administration. Worries in Washington have mounted over China's clout on America's doorstep, as Beijing builds infrastructure, boosts investment in agriculture, energy, mining and other sectors across Latin America and displaces the US as the region's biggest trading partner. During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, Brandon Judd, Trump's nominee for US ambassador to Chile, raised alarm about China's growing footprint in one of Latin America's most prosperous and stable countries. As ambassador, he said he would seek to persuade Chile that we are the better trade 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. "We will continue to strengthen our ties to Chile and limit China's access to all of the resources that Chile might have available. In grilling Judd, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire described China's planned telescope in Chile as well as its space mission control station already operating in neighboring Argentina as markers for Beijing's global power ambitions. 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. As US concern grew, the Chilean government announced it was suspending the project for review. Its scope remains to be clarified, the Chilean Foreign Ministry said. Although China denies that the project has any military purpose, American officials have raised fears about the potential of such space observatories to increase China's intelligence-gathering capabilities. Ambassador Niu dismissed those fears on Tuesday, saying, China has no interest in geopolitics." He accused the US of provoking tensions by defaming Chinese projects by invoking geopolitical arguments. He claimed the proposed observatory was of the same nature as the many other telescopes in northern Chile, including an American-funded telescope known as the Rubin Observatory coming into operation 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 State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ambassador's remarks. Chile's government spokesperson, Aisn Etcheverry, said authorities were talking with both the private Catholic university in the country's north and the Chinese National Astronomical Observatory to understand whether this astronomical project falls within Chile's institutional framework. The US, the European Union, Australia and a range of other countries operate observatories in Chile's Atacama Desert. The region's geography bone-dry and high-altitude, with steady air and the cloud-blocking Andes Mountains to the east produces exceptionally clear conditions that have made it a major hub for global astronomy. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
RTHK
30-04-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
China slams US defamation of Chile space observatory
China slams US defamation of Chile space observatory Chile's Atacama Desert produces exceptionally clear conditions that have made it a major hub for global astronomy. File photo: AFP China struck a defiant stance in response to American concerns about Beijing's efforts to expand its influence in the South American nation of Chile, escalating tensions over a Chinese astronomical venture in Chile's arid north. At a press conference on Tuesday in Chile's capital of Santiago, China's ambassador Niu Qingbao lambasted the United States for 'interfering in Chile's sovereign right to independently choose its partners' and spreading "disinformation about the project'. The astronomy project stems from a 2023 agreement between China's National Astronomical Observatory and Chile's Catholic University of the North to work on a powerful space observatory in the country's vast northern Atacama Desert. The proposed high-resolution telescope would be able to observe near-Earth objects, which are classified as asteroids or comets. But Washington has expressed concern over China's clout on its doorstep, as Beijing builds infrastructure, boosts investment in agriculture, energy, mining and other sectors across Latin America and displaces the United States as the region's biggest trading partner. During his Senate confirmation hearing this month, Brandon Judd, Trump's nominee for US ambassador to Chile, said he would seek to persuade Chile that 'we are the better trade partner.' He added: "We will continue to strengthen our ties to Chile and limit China's access to all of the resources that Chile might have available.' As US concern grew, the Chilean government announced it was suspending the project for review. Niu dismissed fears on Tuesday, saying, 'China has no interest in geopolitics." He accused the United States of provoking tensions by 'defaming Chinese projects by invoking geopolitical arguments.' He claimed the proposed observatory was 'of the same nature' as the many other telescopes in northern Chile, including an American-funded telescope known as the Rubin Observatory coming into operation 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 United States, the European Union, Australia and a range of other countries operate observatories in Chile's Atacama Desert. The region's geography – bone-dry and high-altitude, with steady air and the cloud-blocking Andes Mountains to the east – produces exceptionally clear conditions that have made it a major hub for global astronomy. (AP)
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
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.
30-04-2025
- Business
China lashes out at US amid tension over space observatory in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile -- China struck a defiant stance on Tuesday in response to American concerns about Beijing's efforts to expand its influence in the resource-rich South American nation of Chile, escalating tensions over a Chinese astronomical venture in Chile's arid north. At a press conference Tuesday in Chile's capital of Santiago, China's ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, lambasted the United States for 'interfering in Chile's sovereign right to independently choose its partners' and spreading "disinformation about the project.' The astronomy project stems from a 2023 agreement between China's state-run National Astronomical Observatory and Chile's Catholic University of the North to work on a powerful space observatory in the country's vast northern Atacama Desert. The proposed high-resolution telescope would be able to observe near-Earth objects, which are classified as asteroids or comets. But the project quickly became entangled in China's spiraling rivalry with the Trump administration. Worries in Washington have mounted over China's clout on America's doorstep, as Beijing builds infrastructure, boosts investment in agriculture, energy, mining and other sectors across Latin America and displaces the U.S. as the region's biggest trading partner. During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, Brandon Judd, Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to Chile, raised alarm about China's growing footprint in one of Latin America's most prosperous and stable countries. As ambassador, he said he would seek to persuade Chile that 'we are the better trade 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. "We will continue to strengthen our ties to Chile and limit China's access to all of the resources that Chile might have available.' In grilling Judd, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire described China's planned telescope in Chile — as well as its space mission control station already operating in neighboring Argentina — as markers for Beijing's global power ambitions. '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.' As U.S. concern grew, the Chilean government announced it was suspending the project for review. 'Its scope remains to be clarified,' the Chilean Foreign Ministry said. Although China denies that the project has any military purpose, American officials have raised fears about the potential of such space observatories to increase China's intelligence-gathering capabilities. Ambassador Niu dismissed those fears on Tuesday, saying, 'China has no interest in geopolitics." He accused the U.S. of provoking tensions by 'defaming Chinese projects by invoking geopolitical arguments.' He claimed the proposed observatory was 'of the same nature' as the many other telescopes in northern Chile, including an American-funded telescope known as the Rubin Observatory coming into operation later this year. 'We are closely monitoring the developments of the incident and hope that the Chilean side can eliminate U.S. interference and approve the implementation of the project as soon as possible,' Niu said. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ambassador's remarks. Chile's government spokesperson, Aisén Etcheverry, said authorities were talking with both the private Catholic university in the country's north and the Chinese National Astronomical Observatory 'to understand whether this astronomical project falls within Chile's institutional framework.' The U.S., the European Union, Australia and a range of other countries operate observatories in Chile's Atacama Desert. The region's geography — bone-dry and high-altitude, with steady air and the cloud-blocking Andes Mountains to the east — produces exceptionally clear conditions that have made it a major hub for global astronomy.
