China strengthens its presence in the polar regions

China expands its expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, the national polar observation and monitoring network is being continuously improved and the construction of the fifth Antarctic research station "Inexpressible Island" on the edge of the Ross Sea is being accelerated. In the meantime, the 40th Antarctic expedition is being prepared and the 13th mission in the Arctic Ocean has been completed.

The picture shows the five Chinese research stations. Graphic: CSIS

Read more about the 5th Antarctic research station in our article "Satellite photos: China on the advance in Antarctica" from 15 May 2023.

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The 39th scientific Antarctic expedition from October 2022 to April 2023 lasted 163 days. 255 researchers on two research icebreakers, Snow Dragon (Xue Long) and Snow Dragon 2, focussed on the effects of climate change in the Southern Ocean and studied the ecosystem at the South Pole. Most of the observations and data analyses were carried out at the four Chinese research stations in the Antarctic.

Meanwhile, the Snow Dragon 2 also returned to Shanghai at the end of September from the 13th scientific expedition from the Arctic Ocean. In addition to Chinese scientists, Russian and Thai scientists were also involved in order to promote international co-operation on expeditions in the Arctic. They conducted research in the areas of environmental protection and marine pollution and investigated geological as well as geophysical conditions and processes in the region. The melting of the Arctic ice is already opening up new shipping routes, which are not only of economic importance for Beijing, but also for Moscow, as well as being important in terms of power politics.

China's first icebreaker "Xue Long". Photo: chinadaily.com.cn

More on the Arctic North-East route in our article "Russian shortage: Ice-capable ships for the North-East Passage" from 27 September 2023.

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In the wake of climate change, the polar regions are becoming increasingly accessible, exposing unspoilt ecosystems and natural resources. China is using this opportunity to consolidate its presence in the regions and increase its influence in polar affairs. For the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China's activities are part of its deliberate efforts to achieve global superpower status.

Source: The Maritime Executive, CSIS

All research stations and "claimed" areas in the Antarctic Ocean. Graphic: Wikimedia, Creative Commons