Is China a key motivation for Australia’s A$804 million Antarctica funding boost?
- Australia’s China critics believe so, but analysts say Canberra, which claims 42 per cent of the frozen continent, is making a long overdue investment in scientific research and environmental protection
- Chinese analysts have also framed Australia’s move in the context of the ongoing geopolitical competition and tense bilateral ties
In the past week, since Australia announced an A$804 million (US$578 million) to boost scientific research on Antarctica, its efforts have been framed as part of the ongoing competition for influence with China that stretches from the Indo-Pacific to the frozen continent.
This has been fuelled by comments Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made when he said the funding would be for more drone fleets, helicopters and other vehicles so that scientists could uncover parts of the unexplored East Antarctica.
Other investments include charting activities, mobile stations, support for science voyages and environmental programmes for a “Cleaner Antarctica Strategy”.
“[Science] research on the frozen continent and in the southern ocean is critically important to Australia’s future,” Morrison said in a statement. Historically, Australia has a 42 per cent sovereign claim over the continent, although this is recognised by just four sovereign states.
He added that Australia needed to “keep watch” on the region, as China did not share Australia’s objectives in Antarctica and that Beijing wanted to exploit its resources.
“We need to keep eyes on Antarctica because there are others who have different objectives to us, and we need to make sure – not just for Australia’s interest, but for the world’s interest – that we protect this incredible environment that we have responsibility for,” he said.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley later added that the funding would maintain the Antarctic as “a place of science and conservation, one that is free from conflict and which is protected from exploitation”.
