French news site Intelligence Online reported in November last year that China is putting pressure on Argentina to build a naval base in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego province. The base will bring Beijing closer to Antarctica and allow it to control the passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. According to independent intelligence and local media reports, China is trying to establish a “gateway” to Antarctica by building a port at Tierra del Fuego that could act as a naval base.
Notably, Argentina’s southern tip is only 680 miles from the Antarctic coast.
Reports in the publication also suggest that Argentina-based Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official Shuiping Tu has already finalised the entire matter with Gustavo Melella, the provincial governor. The proposed area will only be accessible to Chinese military personnel.
Tu represents state-owned company HydroChina Corp and operates it in South America. China has made heavy investments in the region, enabling the CCP to build influence and putting them in a strategically significant position.
Continue reading HERE
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/china-looks-set-to-build-naval-base-in-argentina-a-gateway-to-antarctica-reports-551446
__________________________________________________________________
