Chinese ambassador calls on Chile to resume construction of astronomical observation project, excluding US interference
According to Bloomberg reports, on April 29, during an interview, Chinese Ambassador to Chile Niou Qingbao called on Chile to exclude US interference and resume the construction process of the China-Chile cooperative astronomical observation project.
Niou Qingbao revealed that he is in talks with the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote the resumption of the aforementioned project's construction work.
Information from the official website of the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that in 2016, the Chinese National Astronomical Observatory and the Catholic University of the North of Chile signed an agreement to cooperate in building an astronomical observation base in Atacama. Niou Qingbao revealed that China has completed the road construction leading to the astronomical observation base in January this year, and some equipment has also been transported to Chile.
However, the project was reportedly suspended earlier this year due to opposition from the United States.
Niou Qingbao pointed out: "The US consistently slanders this project, interferes with Chile's sovereign rights to independently choose its partners, and obstructs the progress of the project in various ways. We hope that the Chilean side will exclude US interference and approve the project as soon as possible."
The US nominee for Ambassador to Chile, Judd, said that the US should limit China's influence in Chile and its access to Chilean resources.
Niou Qingbao questioned: "If the US continues to accuse this project of having military purposes, then we cannot help but ask, does the Vera C. Rubin Observatory funded by the US also have military applications?"
On April 16, the Chinese Embassy in Chile clearly explained the nature of the project in a statement released: "The project fully complies with Chilean laws. Once completed, it will allow international observatories to submit observing time proposals, contributing to global scientific discovery cooperation."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830795268611079/
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