China is planning to build a sixth Antarctic research station in a little-known region of the vast continent, raising speculation on whether the superpower’s motive is science or a geopolitical power play.
The Chinese government says the new station in Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica, will provide support for logistics and scientific research.
Its work would focus on weather patterns, atmospheric interactions with ice and ocean, glacier movement, environmental monitoring, space physics, and geological studies.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty signed by 12 nations, including Australia and China, research stations can only be built for peaceful purposes and scientific research.
It also permits the deployment of armed forces personnel for peaceful tasks but bans weapons and military bases.
Australia has three permanent year-round stations on the vast frozen continent.
China has been steadily expanding its Antarctic footprint over past decades. Since 1985, it has built five stations there.
News of the planned new Chinese station has raised concerns from one Australian politician.
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie told parliament in early September that Department of Defence officials should be taking notice.
“Five bases have already been built, and China claims there is no geopolitical motive,” she said.
“Open your eyes, (Department of) Defence.”
But one Antarctic security expert believes any security concerns for Australia are less immediate.
Claire Young, a former federal government analyst who writes for the Lowy Institute think tank, told nine.com.au the planned new Chinese station would be operational only during summer and scientists from other nations would be invited there to undertake research.
But she says building the facility in far-flung Marie Byrd Land shows how China is expanding its footprint on Antarctica.
“It’s one of the most remote places on earth with no jumping off points ... so (the station) demonstrates China has the capacity to reach it under its own steam,” said Young.
One geopolitical motive for China to build the station would be to stake a claim in the event mining in Antarctica was permitted.
Marie Byrd Land is the largest chunk of unclaimed territory in the world - roughly twice the size of Greenland.
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Scientists say it holds deposits of rare earth minerals - vital components for today’s civil and military technology.
Young says the new station would be “well placed” if mining - currently banned - was given the green light at a future date.
But she emphasises that apart from the huge logistical challenges, this could only happen with a rewriting of international law.
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