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A century old hotel in Nbach, Switzerland has become the focus of American intelligence.
Hotel Rossly, a century old log cabin in the alpine village of Ubac
unt r Bach, offers breathtaking views of snowcap mountains. However, it's the
view from the back of the hotel that has caught the attention of American intelligence.
Located just one hundred meters from the hotel, the meding Gan Airfield will
soon host the F thirty five of the Swiss Air Force. The Medigan is
a quite famous airport for aviation enthusiasts. Located at the elevation of five hundred
and seventy meters between the Alps of the Bernese overland, the base is nearly
invisible to the people that visit it for the first time. The airport is
surrounded by fences that are usually symbolics, sometimes almost absent, and from a
system of level crossings activated during flight operations to prevent runway or taxiways incursions.
You can really really walk close to the runway threshold and taxiway and take as
many photographs as you want. In short, the air base is the paradise
of aviation spotters slaved to become a nightmare to the US intelligence. According to
a Wall Street General report, Hotel Rossly, owned by the Chinese Wang family
since twenty eighteen, was raided by Swiss federal police just last year. US
and British national security officials argue that the hotel's picturesque facade offered Beijing's intelligence service
of prime location to gather information on the F thirty five. It's not a
secret that China's intelligence agencies, as well as Russia ones, are keen to
acquire data on the fifth generation aircraft. What's not clear is whether Hotel Rossi
was bought to provide a privileged spying post to beijing Swiss interest in the F
thirty five group. US intelligence officials and diplomats in Switzerland repetely warned the Chinese
intelligence agents operating under diplomatic cover in Geneva were trying to gather information on the
jets. The ambassador learned of the Swiss were not taking the warning seriously.
The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service had only about five staff focused on China. Swiss
Chinese policies essentially ended not provoking China. Ultimately, in twenty twenty two,
Swisserland committed to spending six billion Swiss francs or six billion euros on the F
thirty fives expected to arrive in twenty twenty eight, making it the largest military
investment in the country's history. The Wangs denied using the hotel for espionage,
of course, claiming it was simply a retreat for visitors, but there were
several reasons for the Western intelligence agencies to be concerned. The Wang family was
unfamiliar with Swiss culinary customs, and the high costs of local labor. Frequently
returned to China, including during peak holiday seasons. The hotel's declined, and
the arrival of new workers from China, some without residence permits, further fuel
suspicions. The Wang's family's background also weighs questions, with Wang Jin claimed to
have grown up in Germany and Switzerland as a diplomat's son. US officials argue
that under China's twenty seventeen National Security Law, the Wangs would be compelled to
assist in gathering intelligence if asked by Beijing. Despite US concerns, Swiss intelligence
officials found no evidence of espionage. After a police raid and fines from minor
violations, the Wangs returned to China, leaving the hotel for sale. Many
locals view the situation as an overreaction. A former owner doubted the effectiveness of
such an espionage method. A Swiss family had attempted to buy it but couldn't
secure a loan. Last year, an online ad listened to the hotel for
sale for two million dollars. The terms of the purchase were not not disclosed.
It's interesting why they even put the comment of a former owner a doubt
of the effectiveness. Unless you're working in the intelligence field, it probably has
no clue of how effective it would be or not of what they're capable of
doing. Either way, did China really did the Wang family have anything to
do with Chinese espionage in the f thirty five's, it's been kind of convenient,
and we've seen some reports talking about how China has bought property next to
certain important key infrastructure components of the US down in Texas and in other states
in the South. It's not too far fetched,