Taishan: the 4th Chinese research station to come up in Antarctica

China takes another stride in the area of science and technology by establishing its 4th research station - 'Taishan' - in Antarctica after Kunlun, Zhongshan and Great Wall. Meant to be a summer-only station, It will contribute in research on bio-ecology and remote satellite sensing. Moreover, China is also looking for a site for another (5th) research station.
 

Key Points:

• A number of countries, all signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, have research stations in Antarctica.
• These bases are fixed one unlike their counterparts in Arctic which happen to be drifting ice stations owing to be placed on frozen Sea surface.
• Many of the research stations operates only in summer while few notables does it year-round (permanent ones).
• Argentina has the most 7 stations while Russia is close behind with 6.
• A number of countries including Britain, New Zealand, France, Norway, Australia, Chile and Argentina lay their claim over the territory of Antarctic; Though the claims largely lack global recognition.

India in Antarctic:

• Maitri is now the sole Indian permanent research station in Antarctica after the shocking burial of the first-ever station Dakshin Gangotri in a landslide in 1990–91.

Research Areas

• Biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, cold region engineering, communication, human physiology and medicine.

India in Arctic:

• Himadri is India's first and so far the only research station in Arctic.
• The station, located at Spitsbergen (Svalbard, Norway), was established in 2008.
• It is operated by National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research.

Its involved in the following research areas:

• Geological mapping and allied earth science studies
• Biogeochemistry of sea-ice ecosystems
• Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry
• Glaciological Studies
• Paleoclimatology

Antarctic Treaty:

• The agreement regulates international relations regarding Antarctica,  
• It came into force in 1961 and so far has 50 signatory nations. 
• The main aim of the traty is to set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve (freedom of scientific investigation) imposing a blanket ban on all military activities there. 
• The treaty was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War. 
• Its headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, since September 2004.