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Australia is being urged to increase the budget for its "criminally underfunded" Antarctic program, as a major meeting on the future of the ice continent takes place in China this week.
Australia claims 42 per cent of Antarctica, but is being outspent by other countries like China, which is pushing ahead with plans for a fifth research base.
At a meeting of delegates from more than two dozen countries this week in Beijing, one of China's most senior leaders Zhang Gaoli fuelled speculation about Beijing's long-term plans.
"There needs to be a proper balance between the protection and utilisation of Antarctica in order to keep the environment green and sustain economic growth for mankind," Mr Zhang said.
Chen Jiliang from Chinese environmental NGO Greenovation Hub said campaigners have long sought more clarity from Beijing on its intentions on the continent.
"There have been some concerns because China has been talking about use of Antarctica very often, and 'use' sounds like 'economic use' to many people," Mr Chen said.
"But talking about transparency, China just released a report called 'China's Antarctic activities'.
"It's not necessarily the strategic document I was calling for, but it's a big step forward towards transparency."
Under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, member nations are banned from exploring for oil, gas and minerals there for at least another 31 years.
But as temperatures warm and ice melts, the feasibility for mining or drilling increases, something Mr Chen hopes does not happen.
"Unless the whole world is desperate for mineral resources in Antarctica, I don't think there will be mining in Antarctica," he said.
China's recent white paper pledges peaceful use of Antarctica, more scientific research and environmental protection.
This week, the country's Government confirmed it had finalised plans to build a fifth research base in the Ross Sea area after some earlier delays.
The paper also calls for a more "equitable and rational Antarctic order", meaning China should have more say, and by inference Australia and other large claimants less.
Anne-Marie Brady, an expert on China's polar programs at the University of Canterbury, said Australia was being complacent.
"The Australian Antarctic program is criminally underfunded — you've got a 42 per cent claim and limited ability to get beyond the three coastal bases into the hinterlands," Professor Brady said.
"Whereas many other states operating in the Australian Antarctic Territory have much better capacity to access the Australian Antarctic Territory.
"Australia could follow the recommendations that were made by some of your Antarctic policy specialists and appoint and Antarctic ambassador to negotiate and advocate for Australia's interests."
Topics: research, earth-sciences, antarctica