China’s interest in mining Antarctica revealed as evidence points to country’s desire to become ‘Polar Great Power’
New evidence has emerged of China’s interest in exploiting Antarctica’s minerals despite an international agreement preventing it.
It is thought the icy continent has abundant supplies of oil, gas, coal and iron ore.
An emerging polar power, China has a growing scientific program. It has increased the number of its research stations and has started building a new icebreaker.
A signatory to the Madrid Protocol which banned any mining activity until 2048, president Xi Jinping re-affirmed that commitment in a memorandum of understanding signed in Hobart after the G20 summit in November.
After the signing, Environment Minister Greg Hunt denied China had any interest in overturning the mining ban.
“They themselves really wanted to drive into the heart of the agreement, the Antarctic Treaty, the non-militarisation of the area and the protection against mining,” he said.
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