Knockin’ on Arctic’s door
China wants to play a critical role in Arctic research, environmental protection, resource exploration and navigation. Warns against monopolizing Arctic affairs.
“It is unimaginable that non-Arctic states will remain users of Arctic shipping routes and consumers of Arctic energy without playing a role in the decision-making process,” writes researcher Cheng Baozhi in an article analyzing China’s Arctic interests. The article is published in Beijing Review, China’s only national magazine in English and an important tool for the authorities to communicate its views to the rest of the world.
Cheng Baozhi criticises the five Arctic costal states for excluding other important players with interests in the north. “A few Arctic states, … tend to monopolize Arctic affairs and reject other countries’ participation. In recent years, they have strengthened coordination in an attempt to shut the door on non-Arctic states’ involvements.”
“The Arctic states should strike a balance between their national interests and the common interests of the international community,” Cheng Baozhi writes.
China has increased its presents in the Arctic over the latest years. In August last year, the Chinese icebreaker “Xuelong” (Snow Dragon) made an extensive research voyage to the Arctic. “Xuelong” is the world’s largest non-nuclear powered icebreaker. In 2009, China’s State Council approved the construction of a $300 million icebreaker expected to be operational by 2013.
Earlier this week, BarentsObserver reported on the speculations that China is trying to get a foothold in the Arctic with the help of land acquisitions at Iceland.
“China plans to make itself heard before arrangements are made, so that its views can be incorporated into any arrangements. To that end, it will strengthen cooperation and exchanges with North European countries such as Iceland, Norway and Sweden, Cheng Baozhi writes in the article in Beijing Review.
He continues: “China has recently unveiled a plan for polar expedition from 2011 to 2015 and launched a number of research projects—moves that are expected to give a boost to its polar studies program. Chinese researchers will reach out to leading scholars worldwide for academic exchanges. All these efforts aim to help shape a medium- and long-term development strategy for the Arctic.”
