The U.S. government is reviewing the sale of the Waldorf Astoria to a Chinese firm amid concerns about possible security risks.

Last week, the Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. said it entered a $1.95 million deal with China's Anbang Insurance Group for the sale of the famed New York hotel.

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U.S. government officials announced on Monday that it will be taking a close look at the Oct. 6 sale because of the spying accusations between China and Washington.

Under the terms of the purchase, Hilton will still run the hotel for the next 100 years and will be able to request for a "major renovation", a stipulation which has raised eyebrows in Washington.

In addition, U.S. officials said the purchase could have serious consequences in the relationship of the government with the hotel, which houses several important people, including the United States envoy to the United Nations.

In a statement released on Tuesday by U.S. Mission to the United Nations spokesperson Kurtis Cooper, the agency is in the process of reviewing Anbang's plans for the hotel.

U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations have been residing in the Waldorf Astoria for more than 50 years, according to Cooper.

In addition, Cooper said that security concerns, costs, the United States' government's needs, and the company's plans for the hotel have to be factored in to assess the nature of Washington's relationship with the Astoria.

According to U.S. officials, the review would focus on the terms of the sale pertaining to the future renovation of the hotel.

Cooper said that the security of government officials and their official residences is a top priority for the State Department.

The U.S. State Department constantly warns its envoys in China and U.S. citizens about a possible risk of electronic surveillance, especially while they are staying in hotels.

TagsWaldorf-Astoria, new york hotel, business news, espionage, china spying