中国计划在南极建设第六座研究站，再次引发澳大利亚方面的审视。一些观察人士警告称，这一扩建背后可能带有地缘政治动机。另一些人则认为，鉴于南极大陆依据条约仅用于科学活动，有关中国存在军事意图的担忧被夸大了。
China's plans for a sixth research station in Antarctica are drawing renewed scrutiny in Australia, with some observers warning of a geopolitical motive behind the expansion. Others argue that fears of military intent are exaggerated given the continent's scientific-only treaty status.
中国计划在南极建设第六座研究站，再次引起澳大利亚官员和分析人士的关注，他们对该扩建是否带有地缘政治或战略动机意见不一。中国目前已在南极运营五座研究站，除澳大利亚外，数量超过任何其他国家。
China's plans to build a sixth research station in Antarctica are drawing renewed scrutiny from Australian officials and analysts, who are divided over whether the expansion carries a geopolitical or strategic motive. China already operates five stations on the continent, more than any nation besides Australia.
一些观察人士认为，北京在南极日益扩大的存在，反映出其在一个受数十年前签订的条约治理的地区展示影响力的更广泛野心；该条约禁止军事活动，并将南极大陆专门留给科学研究。他们指出，中国现有研究站配备的卫星跟踪和通信设备具有双重用途，这令监测该地区的盟友政府感到担忧。
Some observers argue Beijing's growing Antarctic footprint reflects broader ambitions to project influence in a region governed by a decades-old treaty that bans military activity and reserves the continent for scientific research. They point to China's dual-use satellite-tracking and communications equipment at existing stations as a source of concern for allied governments monitoring the region.
其他专家说，有关中国在南极存在军事意图的担忧被夸大了。他们指出，《南极条约》的所有协商国，包括中国在内，都须接受检查，并被要求保持活动和平、透明。澳大利亚声称拥有南极最大的一块领土，并表示将继续密切监测外国在该大陆的活动。
Other experts say fears about Chinese military intent in Antarctica are overstated, noting that all consultative parties to the Antarctic Treaty, including China, are subject to inspection and required to keep their activities peaceful and transparent. Australia, which claims the largest territorial slice of Antarctica, has said it will continue monitoring foreign activity on the continent closely.