A New Cold War? China Declares Itself a ‘Near-Arctic State’

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BEIJING—China planted a new flag in the Arctic, issuing a strategy paper that outlines its ambitions for a region where a warming climate is creating new opportunities for shipping and resource extraction.

In its first policy paper on the Arctic, Beijing acknowledges Chinese territory doesn’t touch the Arctic Circle. Still, the paper declares China a “Near-Arctic State” with an interest in developing shipping, carrying out scientific research and exploiting the region’s oil, gas, minerals, fisheries and other natural resources.

“China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs,” said the report, issued Friday by the information office of the State Council, China’s cabinet.

The report puts a policy gloss on China’s increasing activities in the polar region, from sailing cargo vessels through its seas in the warmer months to a multibillion-dollar investment in a liquefied natural gas project on Russia’s Yamal peninsula. The strategy also fits with China’s efforts to invest in new frontiers, such as space and deep-sea research, in a bid to surpass the U.S. and other powers.

“China is really good at long-term planning,” said Malte Humpert, founder of Washington, D.C.-based think tank The Arctic Institute. He said China’s plans amount to a low-risk bet with a payoff that may not come for decades. “They are ahead of the curve.”

Beijing hasn’t hidden its Arctic ambitions. In 2013, after several unsuccessful attempts, China gained observer status at the Arctic Council, a policy coordination forum whose members are the U.S., Russia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden—countries with territory in the region. Last year, China’s icebreaking research vessel Snow Dragon sailed around the Arctic rim for the first time.

The policy paper appears aimed in part to alleviate international concerns about China’s ambitions, pledging support for international standards and cooperation. It promises to help combat environmental degradation, balancing that with the economic opportunities presented by a melting polar ice cap that is making the Arctic more attractive for navigation and investment.

“As a result of global warming, the Arctic shipping routes are likely to become important transport routes for international trade,” the paper said. It offers China’s leadership in developing a “Polar Silk Road” for economic and social cooperation.