Washington: White House spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday that a Chinese spy base in Cuba will not affect US state Secretary Antony Blinken’s visit to China this week, Reuters reported.
US officials earlier said that China is operating a spy base from Cuba in its efforts to expand its presence overseas.
However China denied using Cuba as its spy base, amid corroding bilateral ties between two global powers.
John Kirby, according to Reuters, shared with Cuban government its concerns about Chinese spy operations happening on Cuban territory.
However, Kirby said President Joe Biden is committed to keep communication open with China despite bilateral relationship with China is tense now.
‘We understand the bilateral relationship with China is tense right now, and nothing's changed about the fact that the president wants to keep the lines of communication open with the PRC( People’s Republic of China),’ Kirby told reporters.
The actions by US since Joe Biden came to power in January 2021, Blinker reportedly said on Monday, has slowed down China’s efforts to expand its presence overseas.