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China retracts Arctic ambitions
(MENAFN) China is expected to revise its Arctic strategy, stepping back from its goal of becoming a dominant polar power by 2030, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing insider sources. This shift comes as Arctic nations, including Russia, intensify scrutiny of Beijing’s activities, while potential cooperation between the US and Russia in the region adds further uncertainty.
Beijing first outlined its Polar Silk Road initiative in a 2018 white paper, presenting it as an extension of its broader Belt and Road Initiative. The plan aimed to expand China’s access to the Arctic’s vast natural resources and strengthen its role in regional governance. However, its self-proclaimed status as a “near-Arctic state”—despite being 1,400 km (870 miles) south of the Arctic Circle and lacking territorial claims—was met with resistance from Arctic nations, particularly Russia, which controls more than half of the region’s coastline.
An insider told SCMP that China's initial Arctic ambitions were introduced “quite aggressively” in the 2018 white paper, but the “near-Arctic state” designation was widely criticized. As a result, Beijing has since abandoned the term and appears to be retreating or at least scaling down its ambitions in the region.
Instead, China has reportedly shifted its focus to developing heavy icebreakers and conducting polar research while downplaying broader geopolitical ambitions.
This strategic shift comes as the US and Russia have explored economic cooperation in the Arctic during recent diplomatic engagements. Observers suggest that Beijing’s continued investment in icebreakers indicates that its interest in the Arctic remains, albeit in a more limited form.
Duncan Depledge, an Arctic expert from Loughborough University, told SCMP that China “is still very interested” in Arctic scientific research and commercial opportunities. However, recent geopolitical shifts—including US President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire in Ukraine and his efforts to restore ties with Russia—have created uncertainty for China’s Arctic strategy.
If Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin strike a deal on Arctic cooperation, Beijing could face a challenging decision. Russia would have to weigh its growing partnership with China against the possibility of strengthening ties with the US, potentially reshaping the geopolitical balance in the Arctic.
Beijing first outlined its Polar Silk Road initiative in a 2018 white paper, presenting it as an extension of its broader Belt and Road Initiative. The plan aimed to expand China’s access to the Arctic’s vast natural resources and strengthen its role in regional governance. However, its self-proclaimed status as a “near-Arctic state”—despite being 1,400 km (870 miles) south of the Arctic Circle and lacking territorial claims—was met with resistance from Arctic nations, particularly Russia, which controls more than half of the region’s coastline.
An insider told SCMP that China's initial Arctic ambitions were introduced “quite aggressively” in the 2018 white paper, but the “near-Arctic state” designation was widely criticized. As a result, Beijing has since abandoned the term and appears to be retreating or at least scaling down its ambitions in the region.
Instead, China has reportedly shifted its focus to developing heavy icebreakers and conducting polar research while downplaying broader geopolitical ambitions.
This strategic shift comes as the US and Russia have explored economic cooperation in the Arctic during recent diplomatic engagements. Observers suggest that Beijing’s continued investment in icebreakers indicates that its interest in the Arctic remains, albeit in a more limited form.
Duncan Depledge, an Arctic expert from Loughborough University, told SCMP that China “is still very interested” in Arctic scientific research and commercial opportunities. However, recent geopolitical shifts—including US President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire in Ukraine and his efforts to restore ties with Russia—have created uncertainty for China’s Arctic strategy.
If Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin strike a deal on Arctic cooperation, Beijing could face a challenging decision. Russia would have to weigh its growing partnership with China against the possibility of strengthening ties with the US, potentially reshaping the geopolitical balance in the Arctic.
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