On 16 February 2018 local time of Chile, on the occasion of Xiangyanghong 01 docked at the Punta Arenas Port after finishing its mission in China’s 34th Antarctic Expedition, Dr. LI Tiegang, DG of FIO, together with FIO delegation visited Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) and signed the MOU between China and Chile on Antarctic and Antarctic Ocean Cooperation with INACH. Following the signing ceremony was an academic symposium. Cooperation between China and Chile on Marine and Polar Research has been moving forward to a new stage.

Both DG LI of FIO and DG Marcelo of INACH addressed the signing ceremony, commending on the cooperation basis of two countries and looking forward to further development. DG LI stressed that FIO’s advantage in ocean/polar research and technical equipment and INACH’s geographical privilege in Antarctic expedition and replenishment can combined perfectly together and develop long-term partnership by the signing of this MOU, thus pushing forward the Antarctic research through joint efforts. DG Marcelo, on behalf of INACH, appreciated FIO’s achievements in Antarctic and Antarctic Ocean research and expressed the willingness to make technical cooperation and personnel exchange with FIO in ocean dynamics and climate change, marine geology and pale-oceanography, marine geophysics, marine biology and marine ecology.

LI Tiegang, DG of FIO, delivered speech.

DG Marcelo of INACH delivered speech.

DG LI and DG Marcelo signed the MOU

Featuring unique physical geology, the Antarctic Pole plays a significant role in the evolution process of global climate and environment. Increasing our knowledge towards the Antarctic areas means a lot for us in studying and adapting to the climate change and protecting Antarctic ecological environment. China and Chile, with profound history and solid foundation in the Antarctic cooperation, both attach great importance to the communication and cooperation on the Antarctic research and governance with each other. FIO always pays attention to the Polar research. As a key tech-supporting institute and the core strength for the Polar research in China, experts of FIO are involved in the Antarctic and Arctic Expedition for many times, collecting rich samples and data. The Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH), established in 1963, is a public service institution under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile. It is in charge of managing and coordinating scientific activities in the Chilean Antarctic Territory and plays an active role in Antarctic affairs. Its study on Antarctic climate change and biological protection has made abundant achievements. The signing of this MOU will deepen the cooperation in line with the MOU between China and Chile on Antarctic Cooperation, enhance the capability of two sides in Antarctic research and expedition, and help both countries in dealing with Antarctic climate change and protecting Antarctic environment.

 After the signing ceremony, an academic symposium was held and attracted 10 lectures from China and Chile. Cooperation intentions were identified in areas of holding joint academic workshop on Antarctic expedition, research on marine geology and pale-oceanography, application of new marine observation apparatus, MPA designation and protection towards marine mammals, methodology of micro-plastic pollutant research, diving research, and aquarium lab experiments.