Construction work on secret Chinese military base in UAE stopped after US intervenes: Report

Construction work on secret Chinese military base in UAE stopped after US intervenes: Report

The Wall Street Journal reported that satellite imagery of the port of Khalifa had revealed suspicious construction work inside a container terminal built and operated by a Chinese shipping corporation, Cosco.

IANSUpdated: Saturday, November 20, 2021, 03:41 PM IST
article-image
World News 24/ Tweeter

The US intelligence agencies found evidence this year of construction work on what they believed was a secret Chinese military facility in the UAE, which was stopped after Washington's intervention, according to a report on Friday, The Guardian reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported that satellite imagery of the port of Khalifa had revealed suspicious construction work inside a container terminal built and operated by a Chinese shipping corporation, Cosco.

The evidence included huge excavations apparently for a multi-storey building and the fact that the site was covered in an apparent attempt to evade scrutiny.

The Biden administration held urgent talks with the UAE authorities, who appeared to be unaware of the military activities, according to the report. It said the discussions included two direct conversations between Joe Biden and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, in May and August.

In late September, the US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and the White House Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, went to the UAE and presented the details of the US intelligence on the site to the Emirati authorities, with McGurk returning this week to meet the crown prince. After US officials recently inspected the Khalifa site, construction work was suspended, the report said, The Guardian reported.

The report comes four years after the Chinese navy established a facility in Djibouti, its first overseas base, which was placed within a Chinese-run commercial port, at Doraleh.

RECENT STORIES

Uttar Pradesh Jumps 11 Ranks In SDG Index, Enters 'Front Runner' Category With 25-Point Score Rise

Uttar Pradesh Jumps 11 Ranks In SDG Index, Enters 'Front Runner' Category With 25-Point Score Rise

27 Lakh Electricity Workers To Join Nationwide Strike On July 9 Against Power Sector Privatisation

27 Lakh Electricity Workers To Join Nationwide Strike On July 9 Against Power Sector Privatisation

ISRO Chief Announces Plans For India’s Own Space Station; Stresses Lightning Forecast Tech To Save...

ISRO Chief Announces Plans For India’s Own Space Station; Stresses Lightning Forecast Tech To Save...

UP Minister Gulab Devi Injured In Convoy Collision Near Hapur Toll Plaza; Security Personnel...

UP Minister Gulab Devi Injured In Convoy Collision Near Hapur Toll Plaza; Security Personnel...

SRM Business School Launches Advanced General Management Programme In Lucknow

SRM Business School Launches Advanced General Management Programme In Lucknow