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Agreement Between CETC, Federal University of Campina Grande and Federal University of Paraíba Creates Space Laboratory Dedicated to Radioastronomy, In Parallel with the BINGO Radiotelescope, While Washington Tries to Contain Chinese Space Expansion in South America After Freezing Similar Projects in Chile and Argentina Since Trump’s Return.
On December 10, 2025, the Chinese state-owned company CETC announced the start of construction of a joint space laboratory with federal universities in Paraíba, even after the White House’s new security strategy reinforced that it does not want countries in the American continent to strengthen ties with Beijing in the technological and space sectors.
The project deepens scientific cooperation between Brazil and China in radio astronomy at a time when both countries advance in the installation of the BINGO radiotelescope in Paraíba. The main structure of the equipment was completed in China and shipped from the port of Tianjin in June, with completion expected in 2026, in contrast to frozen Chinese projects in Chile and Argentina after Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Agreement Unites CETC and Federal Universities of Paraíba
According to CETC, the company’s Network Communication Research Institute signed an agreement with the Federal University of Campina Grande and the Federal University of Paraíba to create the China-Brazil Joint Laboratory of Radioastronomy Technology, which will function as a center for advanced research in astronomical observation and deep space exploration.
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The new space laboratory will support frontier research in instrumentation, signal processing, and sky monitoring, integrating Brazilian and Chinese teams.
For the partners, the initiative is presented as a strategic step to train highly qualified personnel, attract investments in cutting-edge science, and put Paraíba on the global map of radio astronomy.
Pressure from Washington and Freezing of Projects in Chile and Argentina
Sino-Brazilian cooperation advances in the opposite direction to Washington’s pressure on Latin American governments.
Recently, the United States renewed its call for countries in the region to reduce or limit strategic partnerships with China, including in space projects, in line with the new White House security strategy, which discourages tightening ties between nations in the Americas and Beijing.
Two Chinese telescope projects in Chile and Argentina have been frozen since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, as local leaders seek to avoid punitive tariffs and preserve trade favors from the American government.
U.S. officials describe these installations as possible surveillance tools capable of enhancing Beijing’s ability to monitor U.S. territory and Washington’s activities in a region considered crucial for domestic defense.
China reacted by accusing Washington of interference and politicizing scientific cooperation.
For Beijing, initiatives such as the space laboratory in Paraíba and large telescopes in South America are presented as civilian research projects, while a 2022 report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency highlights the potential dual-use of these infrastructures.
BINGO Radiotelescope Places Paraíba on the Global Astronomy Map
The space laboratory is launched in parallel with BINGO, a radiotelescope built in partnership between China and Brazil and announced as the largest radiotelescope in South America.
The equipment is designed to help study the structure of the universe and dark energy, allowing researchers based in northeastern Brazil to participate in high-impact international collaborations.
According to CETC, BINGO will also be capable of tracking satellites, meteoroids, and other small bodies, as well as contributing to identifying possible threats from near-Earth objects.
Powerful telescopes of this type are used to monitor the so-called space situation, potentially predicting when U.S. military satellites pass over specific territory and assisting in the coordination of the use of anti-satellite weapons (ASAT), according to the cited U.S. intelligence report.
By combining a giant radiotelescope with a space laboratory dedicated to radio astronomy, Brazil and China create a research hub that, in practice, also has strategic relevance in space surveillance, orbital traffic management, and defense of critical infrastructures that rely on satellites.
Space Becomes a Tool of Chinese Diplomacy in South America
The expansion of the space laboratory and telescopes like BINGO is part of a broader strategy from Beijing.
In the last two decades, China has been using its rapidly evolving space capabilities as a diplomatic tool to expand influence in Asia, Africa, and South America, installing telescopes, building satellites, and training foreign personnel.
In the Brazilian case, the initiative in Paraíba deepens the scientific ties highlighted by CETC and reinforces China’s presence in sensitive technological infrastructure on the continent.
By agreeing to advance with the space laboratory even under pressure from Washington, Brazil signals its intention to preserve greater autonomy in foreign policy and diversify its technological partnerships amid the geopolitical dispute between the United States and China.
In your opinion, is Brazil right to bet on this space laboratory with China even in light of U.S. pressure?
Os Estados Unidos só tem a oferecer golpes de Estado, invasão, destruição e roubalheira de países, intimidação, exploração, sabotagem, exploração e assassinatos contra os povos e muitas outras atrocidades. É muito ruim para a humanidade ter os Estados Unidos como “amigos”. Os norte-americanos têm que ficar em seu devido lugar e respeitar os demais países. Com ou sem os Estados Unidos, a humanidade pode, deve e irá progredir. Aquilo que não soma nada de bom deve ser descartado. Simples assim.
Em se tratando de progreso científico PARA O BEM, sou a favor de estreitarmos relações com qualquer país.
Subserviência mudará apenas de nome de EUA para China …..L e esquerda sempre foram anti EUA e a favor dos impérios **** , “socialistas” e verdadeiros anti democráticos. Foro de São Paulo para qual motivo foi fundado por L e ****?