China to develop ‘Polar Silk Road’ as global warming opens up the Arctic

China on Friday outlined its ambitions to develop a "Polar Silk Road" of new Arctic shipping lanes opened up by global warming.

Releasing its first official Arctic policy white paper, China said it would encourage enterprises to build infrastructure and conduct commercial trial voyages, paving the way for Arctic shipping routes.

"China hopes to work with all parties to build a ‘Polar Silk Road’ through developing the Arctic shipping routes," the paper, issued by the State Council Information Office, said.

China, despite being a non-Arctic state, is increasingly active in the polar region and became an observer member of the Arctic Council in 2013.

The project is the latest extension of President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China to Europe, the Middle East and beyond via massive infrastructure project. 

Shipping through the Northern Sea Route would shave almost 20 days off the regular time using the traditional route through the Suez Canal, the newspaper reported last month. 

In 2017 a Russian tanker made the journey from Norway to South Korea without need of an icebreaker for the first time, because of climate change.

Beijing’s growing profile in the region has prompted concerns from Arctic states over its long-term strategic objectives, including possible military deployment.

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"Some people may have misgivings over our participation in the development of the Arctic, worried we may have other intentions, or that we may plunder resources or damage the environment," Vice-Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said at a briefing.

"I believe these kinds of concerns are absolutely unnecessary."

The white paper said China is also eyeing up development of oil, gas, mineral resources and other non-fossil energies – such as fishing and tourism – in the region.

It said it would do so "jointly with Arctic States, while respecting traditions and cultures of the Arctic residents including the indigenous peoples and conserving natural environment".