China builds additional outposts in Antarctica

According to reports, China has been trying to gain more influence in Antarctica. The country is building additional outposts in the Antarctica, a continent that remains unclaimed. The outposts will be used as science and research stations.

Last year in fall, president of China Xi Jinping went to the edge of the Southern Ocean to secure in place the long distance marker off the Antarctic coast. Jinping said that China has decided to enlarge its operations on the southern polar continent.

In addition, earlier, China signed a deal with government of Australia. Under the deal, Chinese airplanes and ships will be allowed to stop over Australia for fuel and re-supply. As per the reports, China's deal with Australia will be beneficial for Chinese research expeditions that have been moving towards Antarctica for explorations.

Earth's southernmost continent Antarctica is also a home of a number of resources like marine life, fresh water and even petroleum. Budget constraints from the United States and Australia have limited scientific research.

In 1959, a treaty, the Antarctic Treaty, was agreed which involved the ban of any military activity in the continent. There was another deal, which banned any mining on the frozen region.

Now, the recent activity of China showed that the country has other plans. Earlier, the Polar Institute of China has established a new department for resources. Polar wildlife in the area could be an attraction for the country as it can be an excellent food source for Chinese people.

Liu Shenli, chairman of the China National Agricultural Development Group, said, "Investing in the Antarctic region mainly focuses on krill fishing as this can provide good quality of protein that can be processed into food and medicine."