Waldorf Astoria sale raises spying concerns for US
The US Government will take a closer look at last week’s sale of the iconic New York Waldorf Astoria hotel to a Chinese insurance company, citing security fears.
The transaction sees Beijing-based Anbang Insurance Group gain control of the hotel for $1.95 billion from Hilton Worldwide which retains a contract to manage the property for the next 100 years.
The news that the hotel will undergo a ‘major renovation’ has sparked concerns of Chinese eavesdropping and cyber espionage.
For the last 50 years the State Department has leased rooms at the Waldorf Astoria for the US Ambassador to the UN and annually takes over two floors as accommodations for diplomats at the US General assembly.
The President also spends several nights at the Waldorf when the Assembly is in session.
Officials say they would look at what the renovation program entails before deciding whether to continue its current relationship with the hotel.
"We are currently in the process of reviewing the details of the sale and the company’s long-term plans for the facility," a spokesman for the US Mission to the United Nations said.
"The State Department takes seriously the security of its personnel, their work spaces and official residences and we are constantly evaluating our security protocols and standard operating procedures to ensure the safety and security of our information and personnel."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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