Purchase of Cyprus hotel by Chinese firm raises alarm in nearby British military base
September 7, 2026 6 Comments
A CHINESE-OWNED LUXURY hotel in Cyprus has sparked concerns among British intelligence and military officials that it could be used to spy on Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri, one of the United Kingdom’s most strategically important overseas military bases. RAF Akrotiri is located in the Western Sovereign Base Area, which constitutes a British Overseas Territory on the island nation of Cyprus.
The hotel resort, known as the City of Dreams, is a 15-acre, 16-story complex located approximately 4.5 miles north of RAF Akrotiri. Military and intelligence officials have expressed concerns over its location, as it affords a panoramic view of one of the UK’s most critical overseas military bases. In addition to a host of British military aircraft, the base currently hosts both F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters and Lockheed U-2 (nicknamed “Dragon Lady”) reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. With the resort standing significantly taller than surrounding buildings and dominating the local skyline, British and American officials have noted the site’s potential to provide its owners with the ability to monitor aircraft movement, military personnel and other activity in and around the base. One source said that “there was no world in which the Chinese state would not seek to exploit the hotel’s location”.
The City of Dreams is owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, which is led by Chinese-Canadian billionaire Lawrence Ho. Ho reportedly sits on China’s National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is described as a “patriotic United Front” organization, populated by wealthy, influential, and well-connected individuals. Despite the claims, there has been no official evidence of espionage or wrongdoing by Ho, Melco, or the hotel. The City of Dreams has firmly denied the allegations, describing them as “entirely unfounded”. City of Dreams executives insist that the resort operates solely as a tourism and business destination.
This unease follows increased attention on Akrotiri’s security following the Iranian loitering munition that struck the base on March 1, 2026. It also echoes a 2024 case where the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the US’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly raised the alarm over a Chinese-owned hotel overlooking a Swiss military base that housed F-35 aircraft. In a separate case in July 2026, a US senator requested a security review of a Chinese solar manufacturer’s purchase of a facility near a military base in Ohio, calling the manufacturer a potential Beijing “shell company”.
Security sources reportedly told the British press that the RAF base would implement counter-intelligence measures, but noted their limitations in being able to foil espionage operations from the City of Dreams site.
► Author: Molly Jones | Date: 07 September 2026 | Permalink
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This so-called allegation is entirely feasible. There was a story “kept down” by the British and the Americans about when the Chinese invaded Europe – namely Albania – in the mid-70s. At the time the source was secreted from the Chinese Embassy in Berne, Switzerland, which then housed the most Chinese intelligence officers outside of Beijing. Their new embassy in London will likely take over that mantle. Time to call them out. – Nicholas Anderson, former SIS (MI6) officer, now author of four published books
So, why doesn’t the UK and/or USA find some sort of means and viable alternative solution to buy the hotel themselves and get it over with in terms of safeguarding their/our national security and military interests once and for all against any potential foreign threats and concerns instead of complaining about it to the public? Cyprus is a free and open market economy, there is nothing stopping the UK/USA from making a deal happen…should try beating out, or maybe even pricing out rather, any foreign threat operators at their own strategic games.
Looks like commenters on IntelNews articles have achieved new levels of conspiracy marketing.
I am sure it is just a coincidence that the tallest building hosts at least one radome on its roof along with a satellite dish and a forest of antennas. Nothing here to worry about.
The Chinese Hotel could intercept radar and other electronic emissions from Akrotiri Base including those from F-35s, U-2s, Typhoons, Merlin AEWs, UAVs, Shadows, Poseidons and especially the antenna systems of the OTH PLUTO.
Also if the primary signals intelligence (SIGINT) hub in Cyprus at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayios_Nikolaos_Station is in line of sight of the Chinese Hotel roof this would be a gift to Chinese PLA signals intelligence.
CORRECTION
Chinese PLA Signals Intelligence sensor equipment on the roof of the Chinese Hotel could intercept https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayios_Nikolaos_Station#Over-horizon_radar_PLUTO emissions coming from Britain’s Joint Service Signal Unit (Cyprus) (JSSU(Cyp)) at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayios_Nikolaos_Station