China and South America in the Antarctic: divergent motivations and diplomatic alignment

The Antarctic is a critical frontier for South–South cooperation. This article argues that collaboration between China and South American nations is driven by distinct logics of engagement – sovereignty, development and status – pursued through science, infrastructure and tourism diplomacy. China’s rapid ascendance reflects a quest for modernisation and great-power status, framed through stewardship. Argentina and Chile leverage historical ties to reinforce sovereign identity, while Brazil, Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador pursue developmentalist and status-seeking goals. This cooperation represents a pragmatic alignment of divergent interests, demonstrating how Global South actors navigate global governance to achieve specific national objectives.