China’s new Antarctic base may monitor Australian space launches

By Andrew Curran, MySecurity Media

China has opened a permanently manned research station in Antarctica, which may be used to collect signals intelligence from Australia and New Zealand, including telemetry data on rockets launched from both countries.

Chinese state media confirmed the opening of the Qinling base this week, the country’s fifth in Antarctica. However, the positioning of its newest base, on the Inexpressible Island coastline due south of Australia and New Zealand, has raised concerns about China’s intentions.

The stated purpose of Qinling is to study local ecology. However, the dual-purpose nature of such facilities, including the ability to track and communicate with objects in space, adds another layer of complexity to local rocket launches.

Historically, China’s polar ambitions have focused on the Arctic, given its closer proximity. However, the country has begun taking a greater interest in Antarctica in recent years.

Qinling will be the country’s third year-round manned base there. It will house 80 people over the summer and 30 over the winter. A purpose-built pier allows easy access for China’s Antarctic capable vessels.

In addition to supporting China’s own space program, including serving as reference stations for their dual-use BeiDou satellite navigation network, the involvement of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), a major player in China’s space sector, in the communications installations at the bases, has raised concerns that China's space agenda in the Antarctic is more than just domestic..

New Zealand is already home to the Rocket Lab-owned spaceport on the North Island’s Mahia Peninsula. The pad has already hosted one launch this year, and more are scheduled.

Across the Tasman, Gilmour Space Technologies plans a launch from its Bowen Spaceport within the next couple of months. Elsewhere, Equatorial Launch Australia’s Arnhem Space Port and Southern Launch’s Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex are both potential monitoring targets.

China’s Foreign Ministry says the Qinling base will “contribute to enhancing humanity’s understanding of Antarctica, provide a platform for China’s cooperation with other countries in Antarctic scientific exploration, and promote peace and sustainable development in Antarctica.” The ministry has previously accused western media of “hyping up” China’s activities in Antarctica.

In addition to monitoring space activity, intelligence agencies have expressed concerns China can conduct military, shipping, and fisheries surveillance and tracking activities, among other activities, from its Antarctic bases.

Two years ago, the Australian Government announced an AUD800 million-plus package to defend and strengthen Australian interests in Antarctica, including deploying a fleet of surveillance drones from its bases to keep a check on what competing interests were up to.

However, with a subsequent election and change to a government that exhibits an acute disinterest in matters such as science, space, and defence, questions have been raised about what the money was or will be spent on and why, resulting in a parliamentary inquiry last year.

No Australian politician has spoken out or commented in recent days about the potential threat the Qinling base poses to Australian interests, including the space sector.