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The White House has vehemently denied reports that China is courting Cuba to build a new spy base.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Beijing and Havana recently struck a secret deal involving billions of dollars to build a surveillance facility on the island. Two anonymous senior U.S. officials spoke to the Journal, saying evidence of the deal came to light weeks ago.

If built, the facility would allow China to eavesdrop on communications in military bases in southeastern states.

But National Security spokesman John Kirby denied the Journal’s report, adding that the White House is closely monitoring China’s influence in the Western hemisphere.

Friday, Cuba accused US officials of fabricating the story to justify aggression towards the island. Meanwhile, some Republicans are now calling for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel his upcoming trip to Beijing.