China proposes Antarctic MPA in Soviet-named sea, allows krill fishing

China has submitted a proposal to create a 127,000 km² marine protected area in the Antarctic's Soviet-named sea, which would permit commercial krill fishing annually and expire after 20 years. Beijing is also seeking to amend broader Southern Ocean marine protection rules. This marks a strategic move to shape Antarctic governance, potentially conflicting with conservation efforts and raising tensions with other claimant states.