Spy Games

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China is operating a spy station in Cuba, according to the US Biden administration, a revelation that comes days after reports emerged that Beijing was paying Havana to set up a facility just 100 miles off Florida, the Washington Post reported.

The eavesdropping facility in Cuba dates from at least 2019 when it underwent unspecified upgrades. It is just one of many listening posts that Beijing has set up around the world, sources told the Post.

The confirmation came a few days after the Wall Street Journal released a report detailing how China is planning to set up a spying facility in Cuba, a development that has rattled officials in the United States even as Washington and Beijing are attempting to mend relations.

Sources familiar with the matter said the listening post could allow Beijing to eavesdrop on communications across the southern US.

But others told CNN that while Cuba and China agreed to the deal in principle, there has been no confirmation that the facility has started to be built.

Initially, US officials described the report as “not accurate.”

Meanwhile, Cuba quickly denied the reports, calling them “totally untrue” and “slander.” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that it was “not aware” of the situation while blaming the US for spying itself and for “spreading rumors.”

The presence of spying facilities in Cuba is not new: The Soviet Union – later Russia – operated a listening post on the island country for decades.

But the issue of Chinese espionage has made headlines in recent months after the US shot down a balloon suspected to have been used by Beijing to spy on the US.

Observers noted that the facility widens China’s playing field as it jostles with Washington for influence.

The new reports come as relations between the US and China are at a low point and the two are working on improving ties.

Last month, Washington sent CIA Director Bill Burns to Beijing to engage in discussions with Chinese officials. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is anticipated to make a visit to China in the upcoming weeks.