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China’s New Spy Base: 100 Miles from Florida?
Global Recap
June 09, 2023 • Read in: 5 minutes
Hello again, Global Recap readers!
Chhouk is an 11-year-old Asian elephant living at the Wildlife Alliance conservation organization in Cambodia. His foot had to be amputated after it was caught in a poacher’s snare.
But thanks to some $1,450 in funding every year from the Paradise Wildlife Park in the UK, he can now walk with a prosthetic foot made out of recycled car tires and tow truck strapping. The funding also allows him to be fitted with a new foot every 6 months.
Much respect for conservationists.
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🌎 GLOBAL TRIVIA
The majority of you got yesterday’s trivia correct! Ukrainian forces reportedly used HIMARS to open fire on the city of Tokmak.
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🇨🇳China’s New Spy Base: 100 Miles from Florida?
China’s Cuban Spy Base: According to reports, Cuba has agreed to allow China to build a spying facility on the island for “several billion dollars”. Sources familiar with the intel say that this will allow China to spy on electronic communications across the southeastern US.
The deal is known to have been struck in principle with no movement on building the facility.
China’s History of Spying on the US: This would not be the first time China has attempted to spy on US electronic communications. Remember the Chinese spy balloon that flew around strategically sensitive areas in the US? The balloon is believed to have transmitted back to Beijing in near-real-time.
US Response: National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says that these reports are “not accurate” and that they are closely monitoring it and “taking steps to counter it.”
Cuban and Chinese Response: Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio also denies the reports and called them “totally untrue” and “slanders.”
But on the other hand, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs avoided directly answering a question about alleged plans to open a spy base in Cuba, saying they are “unaware” of it.
“The United States should reflect on itself and stop interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs under the banner of freedom, democracy and human rights.”
What do you think? Do you think China is deliberately being vague to stoke fear?