Qinling Station (Chinese: 秦岭站; pinyin: Qínlǐng zhàn) is an Antarctic research station operated by the Polar Research Institute of China. It is situated on the southern edge of Inexpressible Island in Terra Nova Bay, Scott Coast, Victoria Land, on the Ross Sea coast of East Antarctica.
Qinling Station
中国南极秦岭站 | |
|---|---|
 3D rendering of the Qinling Station project | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 74°56′04″S 163°42′55″E / 74.9343406°S 163.7152681°E | |
| Country |  China |
| Operator | PRIC |
| Established | 7 February 2024 |
| Population | |
| • Summer | 80 |
| • Winter | 30 |
| Active times | All year-round |
| Status | Operational |
Design
editThe station has an area of 5,244 m2 (56,450 sq ft), and is in the shape of the Southern Cross, honouring Zheng He, an admiral and diplomat during the Ming Dynasty.[1]
History
editThe station first broke ground in 2018, but construction was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] On 7 February 2024, Qinling Station was officially opened by the People's Republic of China.[3][4][5] The Center for Strategic and International Studies, an American think tank, reported that the station was expected to include an observatory with a satellite ground station, and that the equipment could be used to collect signals intelligence and for tracking rockets launched from the Arnhem Space Centre in Australia. China rejected claims that the station would be used for espionage.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ Zhao, Lei (9 February 2024). "Fifth Antarctic station opens". China Daily Hong Kong. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "China's fifth scientific outpost in the Antarctic —Qinling Station – starts operations amid climate change, rising sea levels". South China Morning Post. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ China opens first Antarctic research station due south of Australia and New Zealand ABC News, 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ China's Qinling Station in Antarctica starts operation Xinhua News Agency, 7 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Zhao Lei, China opens fifth Antarctic research station China Daily via Asia News Network, 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ "United States Antarctic Inspection February 2020" (PDF). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Surveillance fears as China resumes construction on fifth Antarctic base". The Guardian. London. 18 April 2023.
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