The United States expressed concern that the Cuban government may be hosting Chinese spy operations. The news broke at the White House’s daily press briefing and was delivered by John Kirby, who serves as the Co-ordinator for Strategic Communications for the National Security Council. According to a report published by Reuters, both China and Cuba denied these accusations. Cuba claimed that the allegation was part of the U.S.’s long-standing vendetta against the island, with Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez going so far as to say that it  was a fabrication intended to forward the U.S.’s own political aims.

The discovery has added yet more strain to an already incredibly tense international relationship. Trade tariffs, human rights concerns, and defence worries have all contributed to the ongoing negative relations between China and the United States.

“We [the White House administration] 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 P.R.C.,” John Kirby stated when delivering the news. It would be unlikely for the report to affect Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China, Kirby said.

China strives to increase its global presence while the U.S. hopes to limit it, especially so near to the United States borders. Blinken noted that the P.R.C.’s presence in Cuba is likely part of that goal, but that the Biden administration has effectively “slowed down this effort.”

Communication is vital in maintaining peaceful international relationships, and open communication between both countries is necessary for peaceful negotiations. These communication pathways cannot be maintained if the countries involved are not truthful or forthcoming in information, especially when it pertains to sensitive misinformation about the other. Despite China’s denial of any wrongdoing, Biden hopes to continue working to improve communication, mitigate conflict, and establish a non-hostile bilateral relationship. This prioritization of future peace over lashing out and destroying any relationship between China and the U.S. is the correct move.