China tightens control on Antarctica expeditions  

中国要求公民、组织去南极考察必须先递交申请书

据国家海洋局网站消息，国家海洋局近日印发《南极考察活动行政许可管理规定》(以下简称《规定》)，明确今后中国公民、法人或其他组织想去南极开展某些类别的考察活动，必须提前向国家有关部门递交申请书。只有在申请受理并经行政许可审批后，方可起程。[查看全文]

Chinese authorities have strengthened their management of citizens and organizations going to Antarctica to avoid damage to the environment, according to a statement issued by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) on Wednesday.

Activities subject to the new rules include bringing animals, plants and microorganisms that are not indigenous to Antarctica to the area, hunting animals, plucking plants, erecting structures and recovering meteorites.

Those who plan such activities that may interfere with the continent's environment or eco-systems must obtain approval from the SOA before they start, said the statement.

A one-month application window will be open in April for activities scheduled from June 1 to May 31 of the next year.

Traffic to Antarctica, including expeditions, tourist trips and scientific research by social organizations, has been rising in recent years, posing challenges to how such activity is managed.

Previously, the SOA largely only handled state-sponsored scientific expeditions, according to a 2004 State Council decree which entitled the administration to execute approval rights for polar expeditions.

Qu Tanzhou with the SOA said the move can better regulate Chinese visits to the southern-most continent, protect their rights and help shape China's national image.