The mystery of the Chinese space base in Neuquén: Argentina can not "interfere" in its activities

Since its arrival in the country, the space base built by China in Quintuco, 30 km from the city of Bajada del Agrio, in Neuquén, has aroused suspicion. The possible spying and military use The 16-storey satellite dish has created uncertainty among the local population and raised serious concern from the United States for the advancement of Asian technology in South America.

Nearly seven years after the signing of the agreement between the Launch of Satellites and the General Tracking Control (CLTC), an agency dependent on the General Department of Armament and the Central Military Commission of the United States. Chinese Army, and the National Commission for Space Activities (Conae). ), the project is still controversial after mid-2018 New York Times He published an article in which he expressed North America's concern about Beijing's influence in the region. Doubts revolve around supposed secret clauses.

As you may have known TN.com.ar, the contract signed in 2012 speaks about it "Confidentiality"About the activities carried out in the station and establishes that Argentina"will not interfere or interrupt"The normal operation of the space base with which China monitors the Moon since the end of 2017 and with which will follow the path of the probe Chang & # 39; e 5 which, in 2019, will take samples of rocks and route them on our planet.

In its article 10, the agreement sows an uncertainty as to the tasks carried out on the place. "The two parts maintain confidentiality regarding technology, activities and programs for monitoring, control and data acquisitionas well as all information related to the equipment related to its activities and will not disclose it to third parties ", establishes the contract to which this site has acceded and which was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the time, Hector Timerman, and former chief of staff, Jorge Capitanich.

In the note of the New York newspaper, it was noted that the Argentine government "secretly negotiated the base while Argentina was desperate to attract investment."

In Neuquén, nobody is aware of the real activity of the space base. "The interference of the province and the country is null because nobody can enter and to do it, you have to ask permission from the Chinese, they decide what they show you and the content they share with you, "he said. TN.com.arBeatriz Kreitman, then member of the Civic Coalition and opposed to the arrival of the project.

In this sense, the third article of the agreement makes it clear that the country can not "interfere or interrupt activities as part of the cooperation agreement. "This issue was one of the most worrisome for current lawmakers.

The lack of certainty regarding activities on the property is such that the government itself has imposed "compensation" on Article six. "The Government of Argentina is not responsible, nationally and internationallybecause of the activities of the Government of the People's Republic of China in its territory related to the project, either by its action or by its omission or by its representatives. "" China will exempt Argentina from any obligation relating to any claim of any nature whatsoever at the request and at the request of third parties resulting from such acts or omissions. "