中国将调控南极旅游
China on Friday said it would regulate tourist trips to Antarctica to protect the fragile ecology.
中国将控制南极旅游以保护其脆弱的生态环境。
According to a guideline issued by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the hunting of wild animals, construction, entry into special conservation areas, collection of soil and rock samples, and bringing in hazardous materials will be banned.
Tourists are supposed to take all solid waste away with them when they leave Antarctica or have it burned at designated facilities and take away the remains, according to the guideline.
Violators should clear up any damage they cause and bear the cost of environmental restoration.
China has witnessed a tourism boom to Antarctica. In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists to the continent grew to 5,300, from barely 100 in 2005. China is now ranked the second as a tourist source for Antarctica, after the United States.
Chinese tourists are usually sent to a third country before joining Antarctica trips organized by foreign travel agencies.
Antarctic travel is driving domestic tourism and related industries forward but remains insufficient in regulations, according to tourism experts.