US-China-Russia Arctic Hegemony War

US Elevates Arctic Diplomatic Channel to Ambassador Level...Key Point to Check China and Russia
Non-Arctic State China Eyes Economic Interests

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jo Young-shin] China is strongly opposing the U.S. plan to appoint an Arctic ambassador, calling it a cold-minded move that undermines peace in the Arctic. The U.S. upgrade of its Arctic diplomatic channel signals the full-scale start of the Arctic hegemony war among the U.S., China, and Russia.

Chinese media, including the Shanghai Shangguan Newspaper, reported on the 29th that the Biden administration is elevating the position of the Arctic coordinator to ambassador level.

From China's perspective, the U.S. upgrade of its Arctic diplomatic channel is a diplomatic tactic aimed at militarily containing Russia and economically checking China. Chinese media pointed out that the strengthening of the U.S. diplomatic channel means that the U.S. has already extended its reach deep into the Arctic, raising concerns that the Arctic will become a military battleground in the future.

◆ Signal of the Arctic Hegemony War = Chinese media are paying close attention to the timing of the U.S. announcement to upgrade its Arctic diplomatic channel. On the 26th (local time), Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), visited a military base in Alberta, Canada, and stated that NATO's posture in the Arctic needs to be fundamentally reconsidered. This was the first time a NATO Secretary General visited a Canadian military base near the Arctic.

Immediately after Stoltenberg's remarks, the U.S. State Department announced its plan to appoint an Arctic ambassador, which Chinese media interpret as the U.S. revealing its true intentions.

Zhang Yao, Director of the Marine Polar Research Center at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, said, "Among the eight Arctic countries (the U.S., Russia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Canada), the U.S. was the only country without an ambassador-level diplomatic representative. Considering the U.S.-China-Russia situation, the Arctic will become an important military strategic point in the future."

Wei Zhongyou, a professor at Fudan University's American Studies Center, said, "This upgrade of the Arctic diplomatic channel reflects the U.S. military strategy," adding, "Interest in the Arctic will significantly increase worldwide in terms of climate change and other aspects (military and economic)."

China also views Finland and Sweden's attempts to join NATO as related to Arctic military issues. If seven of the eight Arctic countries, excluding Russia, become NATO members, Russia could be militarily pressured in the Arctic.

◆ Why is China Sensitive About the Arctic? = China is a non-Arctic state. Nevertheless, China defines itself as a near-Arctic state. Its sensitive reaction to the U.S. strengthening of Arctic diplomatic channels is widely understood to be closely related to economic interests.

In January 2018, China's State Council published a "White Paper on Arctic Policy," declaring that China is a stakeholder in Arctic affairs. At that time, Kong Xuanyou, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (currently Minister), stated, "China will introduce a new Arctic policy and contribute to peace and development in the Arctic."

China announced the Ice Silk Road project, including the Arctic in its Belt and Road Initiative (both land and maritime Silk Roads). Using the Arctic route, Chinese goods take approximately 28 to 33 days to reach Europe, shortening the transit time by about two weeks compared to the existing route through the Suez Canal.

China also intends to participate in Arctic development and secure minerals and resources such as oil and natural gas.

The U.S. and Western countries are aware of China's intentions. Secretary General Stoltenberg expressed concern, saying, "China is moving to secure energy and other resources in the Arctic and to expand related infrastructure."

Wang Yiwei, Director of the Institute of International Studies at Renmin University, explained, "The U.S. Arctic ambassador will create new rules to strengthen cooperation with allies, and they are likely to check Russia and China under the pretext of security."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.