Tasmania could provide technical support for Chinese Antarctic expeditions, leaving Christchurch in the cold.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel promoted the city as an official gateway to Antarctica in a visit to China in March. However, Tasmania's Polar Network and the Polar Research Institute of China signed a deal yesterday which could result in the state providing services including repair and maintenance, spare parts and technical support for Antarctic equipment and machinery.
The Tasmanian Government said it was also looking at expanding Hobart's airport and re-developing its port to support China's Antarctic expeditions.