China, 9 February 2024 (TDI): China inaugurated its Fifth Antarctic Station on February 7, 2024, establishing a research outpost aimed at fostering scientific collaboration.
Chinese President Xi Jinping additionally extended congratulations on the completion of the Qinling Station’s construction in Antarctica, issuing a letter on Wednesday.
The design of the Qinling Station aims to advance humanity’s scientific understanding of Antarctica. It also provides a platform for China to work with other countries on scientific research trips in the region, promoting peace and sustainable development in Antarctica.
The station’s construction is consistent with international rules and procedures and will contribute to a better understanding of Antarctica.
The station can also accommodate up to 80 people during the summer and 30 in the winter, focusing on a variety of scientific fields, including oceanography, atmospheric science, glaciology, geology, and space science.
The station’s location near Terra Nova Bay provides easy access to an interglacial lake and a marine laboratory. This post offers targeted research on oceanic phenomena, among other scientific investigations.
According to the reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed his warm welcome and Chinese New Year wishes to those involved in polar research.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, the research facility aims to enhance humanity’s scientific understanding of Antarctica. It also serves as a platform for China to collaborate with other countries on scientific expeditions, promoting regional peace and sustainable development.
However, certain Western media outlets have exaggerated “intelligence concerns” regarding the station’s alleged capability to acquire intelligence information on Australia and New Zealand.
In response, Wang Wenbin clarified during Wednesday’s news conference that China, as a consultative country to the Antarctic Treaty, adheres to the treaty framework in all its actions. He emphasized that the station’s construction fully complies with international rules and procedures, contributing to a better understanding of Antarctica.
The station uses smart technology for data management, connectivity, and energy consumption. Planners intend the building of the Qinling Station to encourage additional collaboration in Antarctic scientific research.
China plans to collaborate with neighboring countries and international partners, making the station a hub for collaboration.The new station’s design emphasizes environmental protection, international collaboration, scientific observation, and logistics management.
It creates a multi-circle global investigation model with an inspection range of up to 500 kilometers. The Qinling Station fills a strategic gap in China’s Fifth Antarctic Station research, particularly in the Pacific Ocean.
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