China has been steadily expanding its Arctic presence over the past three decades. The country acquired its first icebreaker, the Xuelong, in the early 1990s, established a research station in the Svalbard archipelago in 2004, and recently showcased a concept design for a nuclear-powered cargo-passenger icebreaker capable of breaking through 2.5 meters of ice at two knots.
In 2018, China released its Arctic Policy white paper, describing itself as a “near-Arctic state” and proposing a “Polar Silk Road.” The move drew sharp criticism from some Western nations, most notably then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who flatly stated that only Arctic and non-Arctic states exist, with no third category.
The Arctic’s significance is hard to overstate. The region holds vast natural resources, strategically important shipping routes, and dual-use military and civilian infrastructure. Only eight countries hold Arctic status by virtue of their geography, cooperating through the Arctic Council framework, though non-Arctic nations may still access Arctic resources.
Washington’s unease is, in part, by design. The Trump administration has leveraged the narrative of a Chinese Arctic threat to justify ambitions over Greenland, folding it into a broader strategy of pressuring Beijing by framing China’s presence in key regions as a danger. Experts suggest this so-called Arctic “China threat” serves as both a specific justification for the Greenland issue and a long-term element of U.S.-China strategic competition.
Meanwhile, Russia and China are actively cooperating to develop the Northern Sea Route, which cuts travel distances by 30–40% compared to the Suez Canal. Last year, the container ship Istanbul Bridge sailed from Ningbo to Felixstowe, England in just 20 days via the Arctic — a journey that would take 40–50 days through Suez.
China maintains its Arctic expansion is purely commercial. No Chinese warships have been observed in the region, and experts note that narrow passages and short sailing seasons make the Arctic ill-suited for military use. For China, the route’s greater promise lies in trade and tourism.
Source: Sputnik News, February 17, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260217/1069814875.html