What are the Chinese doing in Antarctica?

China is building its fifth research station in Antarctica and has an indigenous icebreaker building capability – all permissible under the treaty system. Beijing is entrenched in Antarctica, and from all accounts, a collaborative and active consultative party.

Does China have claim on Antarctica?

China, which joined the treaty in 1983, was worrying nations in Antarctica long before the world shut down. Instead, he speculates, the country may be laying claim on the continent for resource and military advantages, unlike most of the other Antarctic Treaty members.

Who has jurisdiction over Antarctica?

Seven countries claim Antarctic territory: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. Two others – the United States and the Russian Federation – have reserved their rights to claim any or all of Antarctica in the future.

Does China own land in Antarctica?

Claimants could push China to declare in its future Antarctic white paper that China has no territorial claims in Antarctica. This is not against China’s policy position either, as noted above.

Who lays Antarctica claim?

Seven sovereign states have made eight territorial claims in Antarctica, which are Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom….Overlapping claims.

Claimants	Extent of overlap
Chile, United Kingdom	74°W–80°W

How big is Australia’s Antarctic claim?

5.9 million square kilometres
The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) covers nearly 5.9 million square kilometres. That’s about 42\% of Antarctica. The area is nearly 80\% of the size of Australia itself.

What is China’s interest in Antarctica?

China’s ambitions in the Arctic are well-documented, starting with Beijing’s own 2018 Arctic Strategy, which proclaimed the country a “near-Arctic” power and outlined a “Polar Silk Road.” Since then, though almost two thousand miles from the Arctic Circle, China has been aggressively promoting this agenda in …