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China is boosting its Antarctic research. What does that mean for the world?

With US investment in polar science under threat, scientists hope that China’s interest in the region will benefit research.
By
  1. Xiaoying You
An aerial view of China's Qinling Station atop a snow covered outcrop on the coast of Antarctica.

China’s fifth Antarctic station, Qinling, opened last year. Credit: Zhu He/Xinhua/Alamy

China has rapidly increased its interest in Antarctica over the past decade, opening its fifth Antarctic station last year. Scientists hope this will help to ensure that research of global significance continues on the continent, despite the US government’s proposal to slash spending on polar science.

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Nature 643, 1166-1167 (2025)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-02157-x

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