China's antarctic policy and the Antarctic Treaty system

Abstract

Abstract China began to express its interest in Antarctica in the early 1980s. China acceded to the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and obtained consultative party status within the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) two years later. Since 1984, China has been sending national scientific expeditions annually to this white continent and the surrounding seas. This article analyzes China's interests in and policy toward Antarctica as a whole by first discussing China's activities in Antarctica, its approaches to the Antarctic Treaty, and its role in the ATS and then exploring the future trend of China's Antarctic policy from political, economic, scientific, and environmental perspectives. The article concludes that, with China's involvement in Antarctic affairs, the vitality of the ATS has been further strengthened and Antarctica can better serve the interest of all mankind.