A community of Neuquén wants to sell the Chinese space station as a tourist attraction – 31/07/2018

Neuquén (correspondent) .- In the locality of Neuquén de Las Lajas, near which is installed the Chinese Space Station, they want to capitalize on the free publicity generated by the Eastern project and add the structure to a brand new tourist circuit. Although the idea is rooted in the origins of the project, in 2015, the Las Lajas administration realized that it would not be a bad time to revitalize a tourist proposal that includes the controversial structure.

The New York Times published a comprehensive article recalling the possible military uses of the station in the context of tense diplomatic relations between the United States and China. In the same direction, another controversy is maintained by building a humanitarian aid base with North American money in the capital Neuquén. Its opponents say that behind a facade are hidden surveillance plans on the national territory and a spearhead of strategic movements in South America.

Meanwhile, in Las Lajas, they weave a much less bellicose project. "We will start with visits from some schools and after a group of young people who will come to spend a few days, everyone will know the space station.In the future, for the next year, we want to extend this proposal to tourists, "said Clarín Mayor María Angélica Espinoza (MPN). "In construction, the workers of Las Lajas and the localities of the area participated, we also a very fluid relationship with the authorities of the station so we are very connected." We do not believe in anything that is supposed to be espionage "adds Espinoza

. The space station cost $ 300 million and about 200 workers participated, mainly from Neuquén. Currently working in the building 30 Chinese who live in a kind of hotel built by the project management. Between 2015 and 2017, employees rented houses and rooms in Las Lajas, some 58 kilometers away. The complex that interrupts the desert territory of the region of Quintuco includes a gym, a dining room and offices

"We celebrated the Chinese New Year in Las Lajas with them, ] basketball, we usually talk through translators. "

August 8th and 10th, about 80 schoolchildren Provincial CPEM 5 and 66 Location for the first time on a guided tour In September, 115 other children who will be in town for a meeting will do the same.This will be the initial stage of a more ambitious plan. the stewardship they want to badociate the Space Station with a paleontological tour to constitute a tempting ensemble in the eyes of the tourism. "We hope that the people who will go to their holidays or their trips will remain one day or two to see the park dinosaurs and station facilities, "says the mayor.

Since arriving in Las Lajas, the Chinese officials have developed an increasing contact with the population. According to the testimonies, they are the sponsors of some sports clubs, donate in teams and participate in popular festivities. In the traditional festival parades some of its scientists even dress as gauchos.

The province of Neuquén ceded in 2012 during the Kirchner government 200 hectares to CONAE for 50 years, which in turn signed an agreement with the Ministry of General Supervision of Surveillance and the satellite launch of China. Construction began in 2015. In return, Argentine scientists have access to 10% of the time of use of the antenna for research.

On the other hand, in the capital Plateau Neuquén, the North American Humanitarian Assistance Base continues to be expanded. The investment of Southern Command is about $ 2 million. Officially, he has been informed that this will be a base of operations that will work in the event of a climatic emergency. There are voices in Neuquén who believe that the true sense of space is to keep the area of ​​Vaca Muerta under surveillance where large investments of American companies converge.