Chen Danhong, director of the International Cooperation Division under the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, said the memorandum sends an important signal that cooperation will deepen.

"The two countries will increase data sharing and personnel exchanges in Antarctic scientific research activities and be supportive of each other in logistics and emergency and rescue," Chen said.

She added that China and Australia have a productive relationship in Antarctic affairs, which lays a good foundation for the implementation of the memorandum.

"Antarctica involves a vast, mostly unknown area that needs international collaboration," Chen said.

The collaboration between China and Australia can be dated to three decades ago when Australia helped facilitate China's first visit to east Antarctica and the two nations provided support in logistics and emergency and rescue over the years.

China has three stations and one summer camp on the frozen continent and Australia has three Antarctic stations.

The Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration and the Australian Antarctic Division signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2012.

Contact the writer at wujiao@chinadaily.com.cn