Chinese Telescope Puts Chile in Geopolitical Bind With US

An observatory near La Serena, Chile.

Photographer: Javier Torres/AFP/Getty Images

China called on Chile to approve the construction of a Chinese observatory in the country’s north and overcome US “interference” to block the project.

China’s ambassador to the South American nation, Niu Qingbao, said he is in talks with Chile’s Foreign Ministry to resume construction at the site, that was halted earlier this year due to what he suspected were US objections.