China’s 5th research station in Antarctica begins operations

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China’s new station in Antarctica began operations on Wednesday, state media reported.

Qinling, China’s fifth research station on the continent, is located in the Ross Sea, south of Australia and New Zealand.

On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, extending his greetings to people working on polar research, President Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition.

The completion of the Qinling Station “will provide a strong guarantee for scientists in China and around the world to continue to explore the mysteries of nature and bravely ascend the peak of science,” said Xi.

Zhongshan, Taishan, Kunlun, and Great Wall are China’s four other research stations in Antarctica, built between 1985 and 2014. The groundwork for Qinling began in 2018.

Xi emphasized “better understanding, protection, and utilization of the polar regions to make new and greater contributions to the benefit of humanity and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”