WASHINGTON: Russia and China on Tuesday pushed back against a United States warning over their increasing economic and military cooperation in the Arctic region, where climate change is opening up greater competition.
Russia has in recent years beefed up its military presence in the Arctic by reopening and modernizing several bases and airfields abandoned since the end of the Soviet era. Meanwhile, China has significantly invested in polar exploration and research, alongside funding Russian ventures in Arctic energy.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks underscored these concerns during a press briefing on Monday, coinciding with the release of the US Department of Defense’s 2024 Arctic strategy. Hicks highlighted the growing commercial and military ties between Moscow and Beijing, including joint military exercises near Alaska.
“We’ve seen growing cooperation between the PRC and Russia in the Arctic commercially, with the PRC being a major funder of Russian energy exploitation in the Arctic,” Hicks said.
“All of these challenges have been amplified because the effects of climate change are rapidly warming temperatures and thinning ice coverage, and it’s enabling all of this activity,” Hicks remarked.
The accelerated melting of Arctic ice has spurred intensified competition among nations eyeing new opportunities in oil, gas, minerals, and shipping routes, amidst overlapping territorial claims.
Russia has actively promoted its Northern Sea Route as a viable alternative for cargo vessels between Europe and Asia.
In response to US assertions, China defended its Arctic policies, emphasizing principles of cooperation and sustainability while pledging to uphold peace and stability in the region.
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“The United States distorts China’s Arctic policy and makes thoughtless remarks on China’s normal Arctic activities (which are) in accordance with international law,” stated Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia’s collaboration with China contributes to regional stability and predictability, denying any hostile intentions toward other countries.
Washington’s Arctic strategy outlines the region’s strategic importance for US national defence, highlighting the northern approaches to the homeland and significant defence infrastructure. It also warns of the potential for the Arctic to experience its first practically ice-free summer by 2030 due to climate change.
“Increases in human activity will elevate the risk of accidents, miscalculation, and environmental degradation,” the strategy states, emphasizing the readiness of US forces to mitigate associated risks.
