NEW: China is restarting construction on its fifth Antarctic base for reasons it says are purely scientific. But the accelerated developments are seen by some in the West as part of a wider effort from Beijing to broaden its influence.
China has restarted construction on its fifth base infor the first time since 2018 and is making “significant progress,” according to new analysis. The U.S. has three year-round research stations in the Antarctic.
The new Chinese site could be used to strengthen its intelligence-gathering capabilities in the area, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank based in Washington, said in thereleased Tuesday. And it comes as China is “undertaking the most significant expansion of its footprint there in a decade,” according to CSIS.
The report, “Frozen Frontiers,” also detailed China’s moves in the Arctic, where it is stepping up investments withChina has stressed that its ambitions in Antarctica and theregion, which are both home to research stations from the U.S. and its allies, are purely scientific. But its accelerating developments are seen by some in the West as part of a wider effort to strengthen footholds for its military around the globe.
“If they see themselves as an incoming superpower with global ambitions, why would they not want to” expand their presence there?” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London. “Why should the Antarctic be any different?” CSIS analyzed January satellite images from the Colorado-based Maxar Technologies showing construction work being carried out at the new base on Inexpressible Island, almost 2,000 miles south of
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