China’s opening of a new scientific research base in Antarctica, known as Qinling Station, has sparked renewed interest in the potential environmental and security implications that threaten the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).
The ATS is a Cold War-era arms control agreement that establishes the continent as a sanctuary for scientific research and exploration and prohibits military action by all signatory states.
The ATS was signed in 1959 by 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Soviet Union, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and South Africa.
As of 2023, there are 56 states parties to this treaty, including China, which has advisory status, but with China opening its fifth research base on the continent, Beijing’s presence in the polar region is increasing. There is renewed attention to the threat of growing poverty and resource exploitation. , surveillance and espionage against countries such as Australia.
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A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the new base on an island near the Ross Sea would include an observatory with a satellite ground station and would be used to target China’s “key targets.” It is said that it should be useful for “fulfilling.” Gap in ability to access the continent.”
Antarctica is located almost completely south of the Antarctic Circle and has an area of 14.2 million km2. This continent, known as the Polar Desert, has an average annual rainfall of 166 mm and is covered by ice up to 1.9 km thick.
Antarctica holds the record for the lowest temperature ever measured on Earth, -89.2 °C (-128.6 °F), but despite its harsh climate, it is home to native species of ticks, nematodes, penguins, and seals. , tardigrades, lichens and a type of lichen live here. Moss.
Qinling Base is operated by the China Polar Research Institute and covers an area of 5,244 square meters. According to the China Polar Research Institute, the observatory “has an outline similar to the Southern Cross and is a unique monument honoring Zheng He, the legendary admiral, sailor and diplomat of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It’s the design.”
CSIS has commented that the station could be used to collect signals intelligence and track rockets launched from Australia’s Arnhem Space Center, a claim the Chinese government firmly denies.
“While the agency can provide tracking and communications for China’s growing number of polar science observation satellites, its equipment can also be used to intercept satellite communications from other countries,” CSIS said.
Header image credit: China News Service – CC BY 3.0
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