CHINA’s Foreign Ministry made it clear that the country’s fifth research station in Antarctica is in full compliance with international law and procedures. The statement came following reports the facility could be used to gather intelligence from U.S.-allied Australia and New Zealand.
Chinese officials held a ceremony in Beijing to inaugurate the Qinling Research Station. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message read by Vice Premier He Lifeng who delivered a speech during the ceremony on Wednesday.
The research station is located on the Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea which is the closest sea to the South Pole. The facility measures 5,244 square meters and takes the shape of the Southern Cross constellation.
The area is an ideal place for polar scientific expeditions and provides important support for other countries in terms of international studies, according to the director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration.
The facility can accommodate 80 people in summertime and 30 in wintertime. The research station started operation on Wednesday. The inauguration of the fifth research station in Antarctica was symbolic as China marks the 40th anniversary of the country’s polar expedition this year.
China deployed three supply vessels to transport thousands of tons of construction materials to the new research station since November of last year. The vessels completed the unloading process despite low temperatures and strong winds.
