ABSTRACT
The white paper emphasizes China’s interests in utilizing Arctic resources in a lawful and rational manner. China reiterates that “China respects the sovereign rights of Arctic states over oil, gas and mineral resources in the areas subject to their jurisdiction in accordance with international law and respects the interests and concerns of resident in the region.” China is deepening its Arctic presence through resource-oriented investments and the development of ports. China recognizes the strategic benefit of partnering with Russia to facilitate its entry into the Arctic. Nordic nations that border the Arctic tend to have mixed stances on China’s investment in the Arctic region. China has been willing to invest in foreign nations’ infrastructure projects despite their lack of commercial viability. The so-called China threat and China expansionism rhetoric is still prevalent among some Russian media, scholars and social elites despite the advanced high-level interactions and local cooperation between China and Russia.
