{"id":55369,"date":"2020-04-27T11:41:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T01:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?p=55369"},"modified":"2020-04-27T11:41:10","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T01:41:10","slug":"working-in-the-cold-australia-and-china-in-the-antarctic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/working-in-the-cold-australia-and-china-in-the-antarctic\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in the cold: Australia and China in the Antarctic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In 2013, the Tasmanian government signed a memorandum of understanding<\/a> with China\u2019s State Oceanic Administration to provide support services for Chinese Antarctic expeditions. Under the agreement, Chinese vessels were given access to Hobart\u2019s port and provided with technical and regulatory assistance support. The Australian government and China signed a memorandum of understanding on Antarctic collaboration in 2014.<\/p>\n

China has committed to regular visits to Hobart by its Antarctic icebreakers. The Xue Long<\/em> and Xue Long 2<\/em> visited in November 2019, and the Xue Long 2<\/em> returned in March when Australia helped the Chinese team that was repairing a research vessel stranded in Antarctica.<\/p>\n

Hobart may host China\u2019s first nuclear-powered icebreaker, which is now being constructed. Australia transports Chinese expeditioners on intercontinental flights from Hobart to Antarctica and within Antarctica. China reciprocates with logistics and science support to Australia in Antarctica.<\/p>\n

The logistics arrangements directly benefit the Tasmanian economy and support the Antarctic efforts of both nations.<\/p>\n

But if China\u2019s long-term ambitions in Antarctica aren\u2019t congruent with ours, should we also be asking how we might adjust this relationship and our commitments to ensure Beijing supports our Antarctic interests? Antarctica is strategically important to Australia. As a claimant state to 42% of the Antarctic continent, we have vital national interests in the region and critical relationships with other countries that are active there.<\/p>\n

In our new ASPI report, Eyes wide open: managing the Australia\u2013China Antarctic relationship<\/a>,<\/em> released today, we take stock of Australia\u2019s long relationship with China in the Antarctic in the context of its status as a rising power in Antarctic affairs. Some analysts see our cultivation of a closer relationship with China on Antarctic affairs as laudable, even when we differ sharply over other important issues.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because a well-constructed relationship can improve the chances that Australia and China will \u00a0cooperate in a part of the world that has remained free from military conflict, and that Australia can influence China\u2019s evolving interests in the Antarctic Treaty System.<\/p>\n

Others are concerned that the expansion of ties with China may cost us our traditional role as a leader in Antarctic affairs.<\/p>\n

Given the broader tensions in the China\u2013Australia relationship, China\u2019s global ambitions, the lack of progress on key Antarctic policy initiatives and the potential for significant geopolitical consequences for the future of Antarctica and for Australia\u2019s strategic interests, it\u2019s important that Australian policymakers reconsider our long-term Antarctic policy settings.<\/p>\n

China has already demnonstrated its ability to disrupt the established decision-making systems of the Antarctic Treaty System. Responses to those disruptions require early intervention, coherent strategies, disciplined implementation and strong partnerships with like-minded countries.<\/p>\n

We found no clear evidence that China is violating the Antarctic Treaty, and we\u2019re not arguing for a confrontational approach with Beijing. Indeed, Australia should continue scientific and logistic cooperation with China in Antarctica. But there\u2019s reason to apply a more sharply focused assessment of the costs and benefits of cooperation, given China\u2019s more assertive international posture and increasing interests in Antarctica.<\/p>\n

Future cooperation should proceed only after a careful assessment of Australia\u2019s interests and the impact on our wider multilateral aims. We should bring broad policy and intelligence perspectives to our Antarctic activities and relationships and assess with allies and friends China\u2019s activities, interests, goals and intentions.<\/p>\n

Recommendations designed to maximise the value and mitigate the risks of our Antarctic relationship with China include:<\/p>\n