The Antarctic Affairs in this Consulate-General are principally devoted to facilitate the bilateral cooperation on Antarctic expeditions between China and Australia. The China-Australia collaboration in Antarctica can be dated back to more than 30 years ago, including personnel exchange, scientific research, logistic support and environmental protection etc. The two MOUs have been signed by both Authorities, which are Memorandum of Understanding on Antarctic Cooperation between the Australian Antarctic Division and the Chinese Arctic & Antarctic Administration, June 2012; as well as Memorandum of Understanding on Antarctic Gateway Cooperation between the Government of Tasmania and the State Oceanic Administration of China, September, 2013, respectively. Now the working mechanism of regular exchange relevant expedition schemes has been established among the parties involved.President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Abbott witnessed the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on Cooperation in the field of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Affairs, as well as Schedule on Antarctic Gateway Cooperation between the State Oceanic Administration of China and the Government of Tasmania, during the period of his visit to Hobart, the Capital City of Tasmania State in Australia, November 2014. The bilateral concrete and tangible cooperation on Antarctica and Southern Ocean will certainly deeply extended, because of above documents signed.

More knowledge about China's polar expedition, see the website:

http://www.caa.gov.cn