Argentinian congress approves deal with China on satellite space station

• Approval for base was related to controversial economic and trade accord
• Installation would be first outside of China's borders

Amid the barren and windswept Andes foothills of Argentina's southern Neuqui(C)n province, a large billboard signals in English the entrance to the China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC) - China's first space installation outside its own borders.

After two years' work, some 300 Argentinian workers led by nine Chinese managers have completed the cement casing for a 35-metre-diameter antenna - and on Wednesday night the base was finally approved by Argentina's congress, amid a fierce debate about its true purpose.

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