U.S. Congressman Sues Secretary of State to Block Bids from China-Backed Firms on Argentina’s Parana River Dredging Project
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "Malicious influence" from China has infiltrated the bidding process for a 25-year contract to dredge and operate Argentina’s Parana River.
According to Reuters, the tender for the 25-year dredging and operation contract of the Parana River in Argentina is now entering its final stage, with a decision expected within days. The Parana River is a critical waterway, carrying the majority of Argentina’s agricultural exports. Argentine officials estimate that the project will require investments amounting to $10 billion.
On April 23, Mast sent a letter to Secretary of State Rubio warning that "malicious Chinese influence" had entered this major contract bidding process in Argentina.
The tender conditions explicitly prohibit state-owned enterprises from participating, aiming to prevent Chinese state-owned firms from bidding. However, Mast stated that China is attempting to "circumvent these rules through private intermediaries." Belgian dredging company Jan De Nul, which is competing for the contract, "has deep and ongoing ties with Chinese state entities," raising serious concerns.
Mast further said that awarding the contract to Jan De Nul would be "unacceptable."
Jan De Nul and its Argentine partner company Servimagnus responded by stating that claims of their involvement with Chinese capital are "completely false and malicious," asserting that "no Chinese companies have participated as partners or suppliers" in the bidding process.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1865845828426755/
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