China may become major economic, technological player in Arctic — expert

MOSCOW, October 7. /TASS/. China may strengthen its position in the Arctic over the next 10 years and become an prominent economic and technological player in the region by taking part in resource development, logistics and research programs, Director of the Arctic Interdisciplinary Research Center at HSE University, senior researcher at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Arctic Council goodwill ambassador Irina Strelnikova told TASS.

"Over the next 10 years, China may consolidate its position and, as an major economic and technological player, take part in resource development, logistics and research programs -- essentially what it is doing now. However, it certainly will not become a full-fledged Arctic state," she said.

According to Strelnikova, China is already the most active and influential non-Arctic player in the region. Economic interests and investments in regional projects play a major role in expanding its presence. "China is investing more than any other non-Arctic country at present. It has many projects, including projects with Russia. These include energy and logistics projects, as well as Arctic Express No. 1, which we launched, and many logistics cooperation agreements between New New Shipping and Rosatom," the expert said.

Strelnikova also pointed to China’s involvement in major energy projects, the development of its own icebreaker fleet and its observer status in the Arctic Council, which Beijing has held since 2013. According to her, this allows China to monitor the regional agenda and participate in individual projects, including at the council’s working-group level.

At the same time, the expert stressed that the Arctic is not a priority foreign policy area for Beijing. China’s capabilities are also limited by its lack of Arctic territories and its dependence on cooperation with traditional Arctic states.