China on Monday released its first white paper on the country's Antarctic activities, vowing to increase investment in research and continue to support the Antarctic Treaty System, which prohibits commercial resource extraction on the ice-capped continent.
The white paper was released by the State Oceanic Administration one day ahead of the XL Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which will be held from Tuesday to June 1.
The document pledges China's "peaceful use of Antarctica," which includes safeguarding the Antarctic Treaty System and playing a more active and constructive role in its global governance.
The paper also vows to invest in Antarctic infrastructure and scientific research as well as strengthen environmental protection.
"China is willing to join hands with the rest of the international community … in facilitation of establishing a more equitable and rational international Antarctic order, and forging the Antarctic 'community of human destiny,'" the white paper read.
China signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983. The treaty designates the ice-capped continent as a natural reserve and prohibits commercial resource extraction.
The country has since established four Antarctic research stations and is planning to build its fifth.
