Western countries fear that Beijing is pretending to develop new shipping routes to the Arctic. Instead, it is trying to enhance its espionage capabilities. Chinese President Xi Jinping first unveiled his plans to “understand, protect and use” the Southern Hemisphere nearly a decade ago. It has since become a slogan for China’s polar constructions as China continues to expand on its four existing research bases.
fast moving construction
Recent satellite images of the new project reveal that the teams are no longer short of equipment and construction is underway. Photos gathered in January by a Washington-based think tank show construction has resumed after more than four years. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has identified new facilities, temporary buildings and a helicopter pad.
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Construction can be completed by 2024
It is claimed that upon completion it will serve as a wharf for China’s Xueliong icebreaker ships and an observatory with satellite ground stations. The ground construction work of a giant main building of the station of 5000 square meters can also be seen in the pictures. Experts estimate that the base could be completed by 2024. China says the construction of the fifth base will ‘definitely enhance their ability to understand Antarctica’.