SCMP: China is changing policy on the Arctic due to cooperation between the United States and Russia

China will reconsider its policy on presence in The Arctic, including the desire to become a great polar power by 2030, due to a possible agreement on cooperation between Russia and the United States. This is reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) with reference to the words of sources among officials, as well as experts.

In 2018, the Chinese authorities published the Polar Silk Road plan, which provided for wide access to the natural resources of the Arctic and a significant role in the management of the territory. In the same place, China called itself the "Arctic state" despite the distance of 1.4 thousand km that separates this country from the Arctic Circle. According to SCMP, Beijing's ambitions have caused a negative reaction from the Arctic countries.

Now, China's interest in continuing expansion in The Arctic has declined due to geopolitical tensions, a source directly familiar with the situation told the publication. According to him, Beijing's goals were stated in a very aggressive tone and with the mention of the phrase "Arctic state", with which "it seems that everyone had problems."

"Now the Chinese have stopped using this term, and I think we are seeing a departure or a significant decrease in China's interest in The Arctic," said the interlocutor.

"I think China will have difficulties at the moment, especially if (US President Donald) Trump and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin Putin will conclude a deal on the Arctic, which is clearly aimed at excluding China from the region," said an Arctic expert and teacher of geopolitics and security at the Loughborough University in the UK.

At the same time, the scientist doubted that Beijing was losing interest in The Arctic. In his opinion, if Moscow and Washington will agree on the Arctic, the question will arise with whom Russia will prefer to cooperate — with China or with the United States, or will try to maintain a balance.

China still depends on the "goodwill of Russia" for access to the Arctic, said Mark Lantein, professor of political science at the Arctic University of Norway.

As Bloomberg found out, Russia and the United States consider the Arctic as a possible zone of economic cooperation, the parties discussed the exploration of natural resources, including energy, and trade routes. According to the agency's source, Washington sees cooperation in the Arctic as an opportunity to "drive a wedge" between Russia and China.

"We also need to do joint projects, including, for example, in In the Arctic, and in other areas, joint projects will allow us to be more successful," said Kirill Dmitriev, head of RDIF, who came to talks with the United States as part of the Russian delegation.