Blown out of proportion
The outlandish case of China and Argentina and a naval base at the end of the word.
This article looks into a news item that from time to time does the rounds of social media about how China is wanting a naval base in Tierra del Fuego. There are several reports that make unsubstantiated allegations that behind-the-scenes, the Chinese are seeking to gain permission for the creation of a naval base in Ushuaia.
French news site Intelligence Online reported back in November 2022, that the Chinese were ultimately seeking to set up a military base. Of course, this is being unabashedly portrayed in Western ciricles as a huge external interference from Chinese in the affairs of another country. Other reports have literally lifted the information from the news site and practically did little or nothing to add meaningful information for readers. Hence this article to lay out further information and some more context to a quite ludicrous story.
The assertions made in the article, (article 0), and by various commentators is that a representative of state-owned HydroChina Corp is negociating for greater Chinese presence in Ushuaia. Apparently, Mr "Shuiping Tu was in talks with the Tierra del Fuego regional Governor, Gustavo Melella to change his position on Chinese investment in the province."
As you can see, there is no mention of a naval base and it begs the question of how this kind of negociation can be done by 1] a state corporation representative with 2] a regional governor, and not with high-level officials from the federal government in Buenos Aires. There is some extremely sketchy interpretation of 'investment', which gets handily morphed into a "naval base". Scaremongering hype at this stage seems to the best description, more on this later in the article.
What this does point out to, is the 'investment' angle in the region, which would be related to the broad remit of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that started in 2013. Argentina has signed in February 2022, an agreement to join the BRI. More significantly Argentina has stated that it wants to join BRICS. This is indeed quite a sore point for Washington and Brussels, and the whole concept of BRI and BRICS causes great concern to the Western institutions. Additionally, the articles and rumours have to be considered in light of the ongoing increasing hostility towards China in general.
Spoiler: This ongoing speculation is just in my opinion another hatchet job against the Chinese and in a wider aspect, the BRI, by seeking to undermine it, by linking it to perceived concern over a supposedly widening global Chinese military footprint.
Chinese naval bases: the question to have or not to have..
This is not the first story of its kind, as there were reports that China would use the Sri Lankan port of Hambatota as a military base, similarly to speculations of a potential military base in the United Arab Emirates. All of which turned out to be contentious malice at best and principally done disparage Chinese business investment in the region. The Sri Lankan angle was because of BRI investments made in the country, as well as a long-term lease that handed over of the port of Hambatota port in 2017 to Chinese businesses.
There is certainly a trend in the West to scrutinise and blow out of proportion primiraly Chinese business moves in other countries, in order to discredit and deter. There is also a tendancy is to hype the debts and economic factors into a broader military context.
According to a 2020 U.S. Defense Department’s report on China to Congress:
The PRC is seeking to establish a more robust overseas logistics and basing infrastructure to allow the PLA to project and sustain military power at greater distances.
The report asserts that China "has likely considered a number of countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Angola, and Tajikistan, as locations for PLA facilities".
Lately, there was talk about a Chinese military presence in Equatorial Guinea, as reported by the ECFR:[1] "Unnamed US officials are reported to have warned that Beijing plans to establish a permanent military installation in Equatorial Guinea."
At least the article is candid about the scope and extent of China investment on the African continent , - oh those 'unnamed US officials' again. [2]. It turns out that it was US General Stephen Townsend, the head of U.S. Africa Command, who first raised the alarm in 2021, (AP article).
The ECFR article continues to note:
"The consolidation of Chinese military power on the continent in the form of such new bases - combined with the expansion of Beijing’s already considerable economic influence - would shift global power dynamics, eroding US dominance, and relegating Europe to the sidelines of international affairs."
This is the crux of the matter, edging out US and EU influence, whether economically or militarily. This state of mind is also noticeable with regards to Central and South America as well.
The fact is that China has currently the one operational overseas naval base in Djibouti since 2017, that paradoxically is close to French and US military bases. A naval base that sits near to a strategic straits between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The upgrading and use of the Ream naval base, in Cambodia, is another project that US MSM has reported on in 2019 and in 2022.
"The military presence will be on the northern portion of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand, which is slated to be the site of a groundbreaking ceremony this week, according to the officials, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity." The Washingtion Post, June 2022
According to an Foreign Policy article, China is Cambodia’s leading importer, taking in 27 percent of Cambodia’s total exports. Once more, the topic of investments, loans and debts are interwoven with Chinese long-term military and geopolitical goals. To note, in all likelihood, all of which involved state to state negociations with senior officials and high-lelve agreements, not a company rep with the head of a regional government.
It would be reasonably expected that China seeks to a footprint elsewhere, given that is precisely what the US has doing for decades, as well other countries. One such latecomer to the foreign bases is Turkey, yet there isn't the same amount of teeth-gnashing over them in the Gulf region, as there was over the UAE port and potential Chinese military base.
All of this of which pales into comparison with the overall US military footprint across the globe, with bases running into the hundreds. To note that the Philippines have recently inked an agreement with the US for four military bases in the South Chinese Sea region.
Focus on Argentina
The aspect of proximity to Antarctica should not be underestimated, as the West has often equally raised concerns over the Chinese research presence on Antarctica, over perceived power struggles between the US and China. At times, articles have alluded to some nefarious aspects with respect to China's presence in Antarctica.
One concern stated in another article, is if the Chinese do have a military presence in Ushuaia, it "would effectively grant Beijing access to Antarctica". [3] This statement is puzzling as Beijing already has access to Antarctica ever since 1980. This means if the Chinese research ships wanted to stop at Ushuaia, they would be able to do so anyway. Yet, to my recollection, state-operated Chinese research ships do not routinely make port calls to Ushuaia, but US, EU ones regularly do call in. Why, because it is largely logistically unpracticable to use it often, given that except for the "Great Wall" base, (established in 1985), on King George Island, the other Chinese research bases are on the other side of Antarctica.
Paradoxically, the Chinese cebreaker MV 'Xue Long' did use the port of Punta Arenas in Chile. Why? Although, some research ship call into Ushuaia, it is mostly specialised polar cruises that use Ushuaia, as such during peak season, a number of research ships tend go to Punta Arenas.
A crucial point, totally ingnored by the MSM and Western articles, is that Ushuaia is a regular final gateway for:
- Foreign Antarctic research ships
- Antarctic cruise ships
In the 2019/2020 season alone, 409 ships (mostly cruise ships) called into Ushuaia. Now, record numbers are expected again this 2022-2023 season, putting a huge strain on the port facilities. Most Antarctic tourist start their sea journey from Ushuaia.
Moreover, Western MSM and commentators vaguely describe Ushuaia as a chokepoint, "a vital passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans" without actually providing further information. The Panama Canal is significantly more important in this regard. Echoes of Mahan doctrine once more drift into the narrative.
Unwrapping the Ushuaia story
Unwrapping the speculative elements of this story, (Article 0), by stages. Other than being labelled as a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official, Mr Shuiping Tu, has no established military connections. He is in fact the General Manager for PowerChina, "the largest renewable energy contractor in Argentina", with a portfolio of 19 contracts in eight Argentine provinces for more than 1.5 billion dollars. He even met the Argentina president in September 2022.
As well many areas in the world, China businesses seek a better a foothold and location in which to make investments. Tierra del Fuego is no stranger to Chinese investments, including one agreed in 2022 related to building a fertiliser plant, worth US$1.25 billion with the Shaanxi Coal Group, and also on"the improvement of ports of Tierra del Fuego and the construction of a thermal power plant that will supply energy to the plant and also to the province.” The port in question will be built specifically for the shipping of fertilisers.
Another very important point to underline in connection with Ushuaia, totally skipped over in Article '0', which is in fact the heart of the original story, is the port (the civilian one). On the 15th of February 2023, the provincial governor, Gustavo Melella had signed an agreement on a new passenger terminal in Ushuaia.
We will build a new cruise and catamaran passenger terminal in the Port of Ushuaia. Next to the governor, Gustavo Melella, we signed the agreement to advance the project that will add new and better services for the tourism industry in Tierra del Fuego.
In parallel, work has been underway to extend the principal pier which started last year to accomodate ships, now largely completed, while cruise ship traffic has picked up since November 2022
As previously mentioned, Ushuaia is a key hub for Antarctic cruises, but it also hosts a naval base for the Argentine military since 1950. The navy has also recently inaugurated a new integrated base in Ushuaia back in March 2022. This is a longstanding project, to be able to accomodate naval ships more conviently than just a portion of the small civilian piers, as it is too small these days. Add in the factor of the growth of civilian shipping traffic (cruise and reseach ships). The base is also important as Argentine Navy plays a vital role in providing Antartic logistics to their research bases.
Another angle to note:
“In Argentina there are over twenty ports financed with EU or US money and nobody even asked a question, and now because it is Tierra del Fuego all the big fuss”. Andres Dachary responsible for international affairs in Tierra del Fuego government in an interview responding to the allegations made, MercoPress January 2023. [4]
The Neuquén facilities
Another element that is mentioned is that Argentina does have a Chinese-run space station, Las Lajas, in the province of Neuquén, jointly run with Argentina. This base is already seen as a source of persistent irksome to Washington, as several press reports show, (FP, infobae, Reuters).
Step in another US military region head: U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, who groused about the presence of China and in a truly US 'unobstentatially' deadpanned manner, stated that: “I see it like this: They are facilities of an authoritarian government, which does not let Argentines access them, except if they go there to visit.” [3] A bit little those US bases that the USA have dotted about the planet, especially biohazard research facilities in foreign countries, or the major US military bases in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia, which local officials have to ask for access or be specially invited, as a matter of routine.
Chinese investment in Argentina
The initial article '0' glosses over something significant and more mundance, the issue of Chinese investments in Argentina, a snapshot of the major 2022 investments is provided in a Bloomberg article. Looking at specifically, HydroChina, since none of the MSM or articles attempted to shed light on this company or what it does or how it is part of PowerChina.
It turns out that HydroChina has already make considerable investments in Argentina since 2011, mostly in the form of renewable energies, wind turbine contracts, (La Rioja), (Buenos Aires), although they have made agreements on infrastructure, energy and water supply projects in Santiago and San Juan. They are also involved in a dam project (Mendoza), solar energy park in Jujuy and Rio Negro, part of a controversial shale gas project, as well as transportation facilities. Just the right thing and expertise to negotiate permission for a naval base, (not). Of course, there are high level contacts with governmental officials, province governmental notably and between the company representatives on a host of projects.
Take note of this: "The United States can play against both Chinese companies and our government, but perhaps in four or five years the relationship will improve." stated Shuiping Tu in an 2021 article about an Argentine energy project.
What does that indicate, other than the farcial nature of the allegations about Tierra del Fuego, that maybe, just maybe, the discussions of Mr Tu and Mr Melella, were more of a mundane infrastructure nature. This was picked on and then turned into a wholly unverified heap of tittle-tattle by those seeking to disrupt Chinese investment in the region for their own interests. What way could be absolutely sensational and really hit a raw nerve, other than mentioning a naval base and China in the same breath.
Which infrastrure project in Ushuaia is key and vital to the region? Well, a modern passenger terminal for international Antarctic cruise ships. That would have been a significant project of interest to a company such as HydroChina.
Another angle - fisheries
The Argentine Navy has had built several Gowind class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) in recent years, in order to patrol the Argentine EEZ. Some of which will be fishery patrols in the Argentine Sea, along with the Coastguard, because the area is highly sought after by fishing vessels, for shortfin squid, most of which are Chinese.
Chinese and other Asian fishing vessels illegally fishing have been stopped and detained on a number of times, as it is considered as a serious matter for Argentina. One such high-profile incident in 2016, when a Chinese fishing vessel was sunk by the Argentine coast guard after being caught illegally fishing within the country’s exclusive economic zone. There was a further incident in 2019. The whole maritime dispute on fishing remains unresolved.
With this in mind, I can't quite see how the Argentine government would be readily keen to have a Chinese military on their terrority.
Patient 0
The French news Intelligence Online is patient 0 of this story. Unsurprisingly, it website states it is at the heart of intelligence organisations: "Online Intelligence chronicles both the organisation and operation of the internal and external intelligence services of large states (DGSE, DGSI, CIA, MI6, BNC, MI5,...) as well as the discreet activities of business intelligence companies operating for large private groups."
Well, well, well, if a certain entity had a axe to grind and throw a obscure event into the limelight, then this publication might be a good contender to gain the scoop. Again, other media have failed to note the connection of this news site with the particular interest in Western intelligence agencies. To note the profiles of the editorial team: Indo-Pacific (that title in itself is telling) is someone who is a researcher on the BRI, has researched on a wide range of subjects related to China. The US editor is none other than an US business journalist who contributed to Forbes, The Intercept, Los Angeles Times, AP and many others. Make what you will on these profiles.
Summary
1. At the heart of the matter is a disengenous extrapolation: [heavy] Chinese investment equates to the scenario of a country being pressurised to having a military base. Apparently this is only applicable to China and the BRI, but never for the US, UK or NATO though. To note that the original article came on the back of 2022 which marked 50 years of bilateral relations between Argentina and China.
2. It makes little sense for China to seek a military presence in an area, far remote and also seen as geopolitically fraught due to the fisheries and also within the sphere of US influence in the region, which will seek to deter China as much as possible. There are probably better, more welcoming opportunities elsewhere in South and Central America, closer to the Panama Canal, which would infintely make more sense logistically.
3. The story can filled under "nonsensical scaremongering", a hotchpotch of jumbled up information fragements, (Chinese navy = equating to possibly Chinese polar research vessels, who may wish to stop over in Ushuaia), a new naval base being built, but just for the Argentine Navy, as well threading in the project to upgrade and increase the port for shipping.
Notes
[1] Linking the article because it details the aspects of BRI in Africa and heavily discusses Chinese economic investment.
[2] Sidenote: would that be the same kind of unnamed officials that 'Sy' Hersh had in his article about the sabotage of both Nord Stream gas pipelines, the same type of 'unknown sources' that Western journalists and pundits are spitting feathers over, splitting hairs over, because only the legacy MSM and think tanks are allowed to cite unnamed officials.
[3] Source: https://eurasiantimes.com/us-convincing-uk-to-approve-f-16-fighters-to-argentina/
[4] https://en.mercopress.com/2023/01/24/chinese-port-in-tierra-del-fuego-controversy-argentine-media-and-uk-blamed-for-spreading-fake-news