Obama changes hotels amid fears of China spying
Due to espionage fears, US President Barack Obama and his convoy will not be using the Chinese-owned Waldorf Astoria hotel during their stay in New York for the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the White House has confirmed.
“I can confirm the report that the president… and the rest of the US delegation will stay at the New York Palace Hotel,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said over the weekend.
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, originally owned by Hilton Worldwide Holdings, was sold to a Chinese conglomerate last year, raising security and espionage concerns.
Obama and his team of advisers will stay at the Lotte New York Palace hotel next week instead, breaking a tradition of staying at the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel during the event.
Earnset said, “There are a range of considerations that influence where the president will stay while away from the White House” one of which is “security.”
Washington has for years accused the Chinese government and its military forces of carrying out cyber attacks against the US, including efforts to steal information from federal agencies.
On Friday, Obama addressed the issue and told members of the US Armed Forces that the White House has “made very clear to the Chinese that there are certain practices that they're engaging in, that we know are emanating from China and are not acceptable."
The Obama administration is reportedly mulling sanctions against Chinese interests and companies in response.
The issue of cyber security is expected to be one of the major topics of discussion when Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Obama in Washington later this month.
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