In (Yi Hai year winter and early) December 1, 1959, the signing of the Antarctic Treaty.

1959 12 1, 2009, the United States, Britain, Australia, New, France, Norway, more than 12 countries such as Japan, Argentina, Chile and South Africa, signed in Washington on the Antarctic Treaty. The main contents are: 1, the peaceful use and demilitarization. The treaty provides that the Antarctic will only be used for peaceful purposes, all measures of a military nature are prohibited; prohibits any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal of radioactive dust in the region. 2, territorial frozen. Countries to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica and claims, all acts and activities that occur during the treaty is in force, shall not introduce new requirements. Original member states and new member states, the implementation of a specific scientific research in Antarctica, and meet on a regular basis on the implementation of the treaty, and for the purposes of the treaty to ensure that treaty provisions are complied with, and are entitled to the right to designate observers inspections. The treaty came into effect on June 23, 1961, the deadline is tentatively scheduled for 30 years. Ended in 1983, the 28 Member States participating in the treaty. Treaty members usually held every two years.