China has opened a scientific research base in Antarctica amid concerns about Beijing monitoring military activity in the southern hemisphere.
President Xi has welcomed the opening of the Qinling research centre, saying the country wanted to "ascend the peak of science".
However, the station will be closely observed by both the US and New Zealand which have made little public comment on the Qinling station’s development.
Both China and the US claim to adhere to a 1961 agreement prohibits the use of Antarctica for military purposes.
The Chinese base in Antarctica
CCTV/Reuters
The Chinese foreign ministry has welcomed the opening of the station, which is named after a mountain range.
A spokesperson said the station would: "contribute to enhancing humanity’s scientific understanding of Antarctica, provide a platform for China’s co-operation with other countries in Antarctic scientific exploration, and promote peace and sustainable development in Antarctica."
President Xi said China would: "continue to explore the mysteries of nature and bravely ascend the peak of science."
The Times reports that Australia responded to the base’s development by announcing an A$800million (£410million) investment in specialist drones, helicopters and vessels in 2022 to police the continent, where it has the largest territorial claims.
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The inauguration ceremony for the Chinese station
CCTV/Reuters
The base is near the largest US research base in the Antarctic, McMurdo, and due south of Australia and New Zealand.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), warned during Qinling’s construction that the development was Beijing’s most significant move in the Antarctic for a decade.
A CSIS spokesperson said: "Once completed, the facility will include a satellite ground station, which, like China’s other ground stations, will have inherent dual-use capabilities.
“Importantly, the station’s position may enable it to collect signals intelligence from US-allied Australia and New Zealand and could collect telemetry data on rockets launching from newly established space facilities in both countries.”
As part of the 1961 agreement, countries are obliged to conduct mutual inspection of research bases.
The US exercised this right to inspect Qinling when it was under construction in 2020. Its inspectors found no evidence of military equipment or personnel.
However, all sides acknowledge that much scientific research in the region has a "dual use".