WASHINGTON, USA: The US Defence Department has highlighted increasing Russian-Chinese collaboration in the Arctic, driven by climate change and the region’s growing geopolitical significance.
Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks reported that both Russia and China are intensifying their activities in the Arctic, a region now more accessible due to melting ice. This shift has opened new opportunities for commercial and military ventures, with China playing a significant role in funding Russian energy projects in the area.
Hicks noted that military cooperation between the two nations has also been on the rise, citing joint exercises conducted off the coast of Alaska. This heightened activity is part of a broader strategic interest in the Arctic, which is becoming increasingly important due to its untapped natural resources and emerging maritime routes.
The Pentagon’s 2024 Arctic strategy emphasizes the region’s strategic value, including its northern approaches and vital U.S. defence infrastructure.
As climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice, the potential for ice-free summer conditions by 2030 raises concerns about increased human activity, which could lead to accidents, environmental damage, and territorial disputes. The U.S. Arctic strategy calls for readiness to address these challenges and ensure security in this strategically critical area.
In response, China defended its Arctic policy, asserting that its activities are in line with international law and aimed at maintaining peace and stability. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning disapproved the US for distorting China’s Arctic actions and making unfounded claims.
