A new base for Chna
China has been in Antarctica since 1985 and already has four bases there (Great Wall, Zhongshan, Taishan and Kunlun). China’s fith Antarctic base was recently completed.
Zhongshan and Kunlun are both situated on Australia’s claimed territory. That isn’t unusual since all territorial claims in Antarctica are indefinitely suspended. Under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty System you can basically build a base anywhere.
China’s fith Antarctic base was named ‘Qinling’. It was built on Inexpressible Island, a small, rocky island in Terra Nova Bay. This is in the territory claimed by New Zealand. It’s most famous as the site of the ice cave where Victor Campbell’s Northern Party wintered in miserable conditions in 1912.
Qinling is a pretty big base, capable of housing 80 people year round but will likely have a crew of 30 during winter. A Chinese Antarctic scientific expedition team consisting of over 450 personnel were dispatched to build it. China and Australia have a good relationship in Antarctica, regardless of what is happening in the rest of the world. They have often assisted each other and shared resources and will continue to do so.
Environmental concerns
China has made important contributions to the international community’s understanding of the polar regions. Over the past 40 years, China has always been a contributor to environmental protection in Antarctica. So, the construction and design of the station kept water and energy waste to a minimum. A pity that environmental concern doesn’t extend to the oceans around Antarctica.
Chinese and Russian trawlers are having a negative impact on the krill fisheries which will have flow on effects for all wildlife in Antarctica since they’re the basis of the food chain. Alongside that is the potential for overturning the mining ban down the track driven by China and Russia who are both looking to exploit the continent eventually.
Regardless, it’s a beautiful looking base and it will conduct studies into oceanography, glaciology, marine ecology and other sciences. It has a scientific research and observation area, an energy facility, a main building, a logistics facility and a wharf for China’s Xuelong icebreakers. As far as China’s fifth Antarctic station, the Chinese have done well.
To find out more about the Chinese in Antarctica visit here
#antarctica #antarcticbase #Qinling #CSIS #AntarcticTreaty #chinaantarctica