The release of China’s Arctic White Paper in late January brought broad attention to China’s somewhat nascent but rapidly expanding role and interests in the Arctic region. China’s perception of the Arctic has been increasingly strategic in the past decade. Even though most of the information in the White Paper is not new, initiatives such as the Polar Silk Road could indicate a coming surge in China’s political and economic endeavors in the Arctic. The reception of China’s declaration on the Arctic has been mixed. While many countries are secretly or openly anxious about China’s intentions, the support from some Arctic countries, especially Russia, on the Polar Silk Road greatly boosts China’s confidence and chance of progress.
China in the Arctic: An Identity Struggle
By Yun Sun
In China
The release of China’s Arctic White Paper in late January brought broad attention to China’s somewhat nascent but rapidly expanding role and interests in the Arctic region. China’s perception of the Arctic has been increasingly strategic in the past decade. Even though most of the information in the White Paper is not new, initiatives such as the Polar Silk Road could indicate a coming surge in China’s political and economic endeavors in the Arctic. The reception of China’s declaration on the Arctic has been mixed. While many countries are secretly or openly anxious about China’s intentions, the support from some Arctic countries, especially Russia, on the Polar Silk Road greatly boosts China’s confidence and chance of progress.
This article was originally published by China-US Focus on February 7, 2018. Read the full article here.