Step closer to 5th Antarctic base
Print Edition
CHINA is set to increase its South Pole presence, having completed surveys for a fifth Antarctic station.
Environmental and geological studies were undertaken on the latest Chinese Antarctic expedition and will be submitted to members of the Antarctic Treaty for discussion and approval late this month.
The station would be located in Victoria Land, near the Ross Sea, Qu Tanzhou, director of the State Oceanic Administration‘s Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, said yesterday.
Qu was speaking after China’s only icebreaker the Xuelong — Snow Dragon — returned to its base in Shanghai after a 159-day expedition at the South Pole.
During the voyage, the polar team succeeded in constructing the main building of the new Taishan Station, China’s fourth in the Antarctic.
Taishan Station, a seasonal station, is for logistical support and scientific research. The Victoria Land station will be year-round.
China’s current stations are Changcheng, Zhongshan, Kunlun and Taishan.
“With the fifth station, we will have stations facing three oceans, which will benefit our scientific studies,” Qu said.
In addition to its planned work, during the voyage the Xuelong took part in two unscheduled missions.
The vessel was involved in rescuing 52 passengers from Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy, which was trapped in ice. The Xuelong’s helicopter took passengers to an Australian vessel in January.
Then last month, the Xuelong was involved in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The ship was the first Chinese vessel to reach the south Indian Ocean.
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