China's Arctic Aspirations and Polar Silk Road: Implications for Great Power Competition

Year 2024, , 98 - 110, 25.03.2024

Haşim Türker

https://doi.org/10.53487/atasobed.1454578

Abstract

This article offers an in-depth exploration of China's Arctic aspirations, with a specific focus on the development of the Polar Silk Road (PSR), and the ensuing implications for the dynamics of global power. The Arctic region, once considered remote and inaccessible, is undergoing a transformation largely driven by climate change. This transformation is unveiling new opportunities for navigation and resource extraction, thereby attracting the attention of various nations, including China. Despite its geographical distance from the Arctic, China has been vocal about its Arctic aspirations, most notably through its proposed PSR initiative. The article scrutinizes the development of the PSR, a component of China's broader Belt and Road Initiative, and its potential to bolster China's economic prowess by unveiling new trade routes and granting it access to valuable resources. It also discusses the potential implications of China's Arctic ambitions for the balance of power among major powers such as the United States, Russia, and the European Union. Drawing on theories from political science and international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism, the article provides a theoretical lens to understand these dynamics. It underscores the need for careful management of Arctic affairs to ensure that competition does not escalate into conflict. The article concludes by highlighting the need for further research to fully grasp the implications of China's Arctic policy and to explore potential responses by other major powers.

Keywords

China, Arctic, Polar Silk Road, belt and road, great power competition

References

• Alberque, W., & Schreer, B. (2022). Finland, Sweden and NATO membership. Survival, 64(3), 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396338.2022.2078046
• Ayaydın, E. (2022). Evolution of Arctic Exploration from National Interest to Multinational Investment. In P. A. Berkman, A. N. Vylegzhanin, O. R. Young, D. A. Balton, & O. R. Øvretveit (Eds.), Building Common Interests in the Arctic Ocean with Global Inclusion: Volume 2 (Ser. Informed Decisionmaking for Sustainability (IDS), pp. 189–202). essay, Springer.
• Baudu, P. (2023). Minding the archipelago: What Svalbard means to Nato. Arctic Review on Law and Politics, 14, 76–82. https://doi.org/10.23865/arctic.v14.5197
• Biedermann, R. (2021). China’s impact on the European Union’s arctic policy: Critical junctures, crossovers, and geographic shifts. Asia Europe Journal, 19(4), 467–487. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-021-00605-7
• Chen, Y. (2023). China’s arctic policy and engagement: Review and prospects. Asia Policy, 30(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1353/asp.2023.0005
• China Regional Snapshot: Arctic. Committee on Foreign Affairs. (2022, November 29). https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/china-regional-snapshot-arctic/
• Çevik, V. A., & Durukan, T. (2020). Çin’in Kuzey Kutbu’na Olan i̇lgisi: Kutup i̇pek yolu. Akdeniz Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 254–262. https://doi.org/10.25294/auiibfd.827510
• Deudney, D., & John Ikenberry, G. (2021). Getting restraint right: Liberal internationalism and American foreign policy. Survival, 63(6), 63–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396338.2021.2006452 EU Arctic initiatives. EU4OceanObs. (2023, February 14). https://www.eu4oceanobs.eu/regional_initiatives/arctic/
• The EU in the Arctic. European Union External Action Service. (2021, September 29). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-arctic_en