When China opened its fifth research station in Antarctica this month, analysts sounded alarm bells about potential security threats on Australia’s southern doorstep.

Experts warned that China’s expanding activity in Antarctica combined with Australia’s inaction and lack of funding could lead to Beijing’s increased strategic presence in the frozen continent.

The new Qinling base could also improve China’s surveillance capabilities and give it more control over transport routes to exploit resources, they say.

Elizabeth Buchanan from the Australian National University’s National Security College said the Chinese government had a “remarkable ability” to plan for the long term.

“So, they may not be looking to utilise this research station for anything other than collaborative international research for the next 20 years,” Dr Buchanan said.

“And then all of a sudden, it’s a staging platform … to strike, to facilitate war if that day ever came.”