China completes new research station in Antarctica

China has successfully concluded the construction of the primary building for its latest research station located along the Ross Sea coast in Antarctica.

The accomplishment includes the installation of all 84 functional modules, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the country’s scientific presence in this remote and vital region.

This cutting-edge facility is anticipated to function as a self-contained scientific hub, catering to Chinese scientists engaged in research activities in the southwestern region of the continent.

The station, which spans 5,244 square meters, is designed to support research within a 300 to 500-kilometer radius. It boasts an infrastructure that includes roads, ports, energy sources, water treatment, and communication systems.

Duan Meng, the station’s chief designer, describes the facility as a versatile hub with pre-assembled steel structures from China, streamlining construction, expediting on-site assembly, and minimizing waste.

The new Antarctic base marks China’s third year-round station, accommodating 80 people in summer and 30 in winter. This new station, alongside existing stations like Changcheng and Zhongshan (year-round) and Taishan and Kunlun (summer), highlights China’s increasing scientific footprint in the region.

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The Ross Sea, with the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, sees the most active interacts between the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic ice sheet.

Renowned as the least disturbed marine ecosystem on Earth, this living laboratory has the potential to unveil the intricate life history of Antarctica.

Additionally, featuring the vast McMurdo Dry Valleys, the region boasts the largest ice-free area on the continent, holding profound importance for lithosphere studies.

Nations such as the United States, Italy, Germany, and South Korea have strategically established research stations in this pristine environment, leveraging its unique conditions to delve into a diverse array of scientific studies, ranging from climatology and biology to geophysics and environmental monitoring.