Chinese resources chief eyes Antarctica minerals

[phantom power]

They're just... browsing.

A DELEGATION of Chinese dignitaries, including a senior resources minister, flew into Casey Station in Antarctica yesterday to meet Australian officials.

The Chinese contingent lunched with visiting Australian Antarctic and diplomatic officials before being taken by helicopter to their research icebreaker Xue Long, the Snow Dragon, moored in the nearby bay.

The presence of the Chinese Minister for Land and Resources, Xu Shaoshi, underlines China's increasing interest in the vast natural resources of Antarctica.

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Asked if China had plans to mine in Antarctica, he said ''at this stage we just focus on the potential of the natural resources''.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/chinese-resources-chief-eyes-antarctica-minerals-20100106-luel.html