How is China framing its Antarctic ambitions? | Explained Premium

Explore China's proposed Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law and its implications for governance and environmental protection in Antarctica.

The story so far: On December 23, 2025, media houses reported that China was proposing a draft legislation titled the ‘Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law’. The draft has been submitted for first reading to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate China’s activities in Antarctica.

The draft legislation consists of seven chapters and 57 articles. It seeks to establish a comprehensive domestic legal framework governing all Chinese-related activities in Antarctica. It applies not only to Chinese citizens and organisations but also to foreign entities that organise Antarctic activities from within China or depart from Chinese ports. It also drafts rules aimed at regulating expeditions, scientific research, fisheries, tourism, and shipping. A central feature of the draft is its emphasis on peaceful use and environmental protection in line with the Antarctic Treaty System (a collection of international agreements which govern the southern continent). The draft prohibits military activities, and only allows its limited use if it is to support peaceful objectives. It does not permit combat operations, weapons testing, troop deployment, or strategic military activities. Mineral resource exploitation is banned except for scientific research. The draft also introduces environmental impact assessments, supervision mechanisms, and post-incident accountability. Governance challenges on Antarctic tourism, waste management, and marine pollution are also addressed.

In 1984, China conducted its first scientific expedition to Antarctica. Later it became a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty in 1985. It has since then expanded its scientific and logistical footprint in the continent over 40 years. Currently, China operates five research stations in the Antarctic, namely the Great Wall Station, the Ongshan Station, the Taishan Station, the Kunlun Station, and the Qinling Station. This well-established network of research stations in different parts of the Antarctic allows China to conduct year-long scientific research. It can conduct research across key climatic, glaciological, atmospheric, and astronomical zones. China also operates advanced polar icebreakers such as the Xuelong and Xuelong 2, strengthening its logistical capacity.

China’s official statements emphasise scientific research, climate studies, environmental protection, and international cooperation. Antarctic research supports China’s understanding of the global climate challenge, seal-level rise and polar-atmospheric interactions. This has implications for domestic environmental planning as well. Its ambitions are framed around science, governance, participation, and long-term strategic presence rather than territorial claims. At the governance level, China seeks to move from being a participant to a rule-shaping actor within the Antarctic Treaty System. Moreover, sustained polar operations contribute to advancement in ice-breaking, satellite navigation and extreme-environment engineering.

China’s draft Antarctic law signals its move towards formalising and strengthening its Antarctic presence. It places Antarctic activities within a clear domestic legal and regulatory framework rather than relying only on policy guidelines. It also reflects a broader pattern among major consultative parties using national legislation to ensure better compliance with Antarctic Treaty obligations. China’s legislative initiative reinforces the need to monitor how major powers organise and regulate their Antarctic engagement, as domestic laws increasingly shape behaviour within a treaty-based governance system.

Lekshmi M.K. is pursuing a postgraduate degree at Madras Christian College, Chennai and is a Research Assistant at NIAS, Bengaluru.