China pushed back Thursday against the European Union’s new Arctic security plan, saying its regional activity complies with international law after the bloc linked Beijing’s Russia partnership to security concerns.
Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that the country’s Arctic activities support peaceful, stable and sustainable development and follow international law. She objected to what she called a “Cold War mentality” that divides countries and fuels geopolitical confrontation, without naming the EU.
The European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas presented the Arctic strategy Tuesday, Oct. 20. It calls for an Arctic maritime-surveillance pilot in 2027 and supports expanding European icebreaker capacity. EconoTimes previously covered the strategy’s security priorities.
Separately, a joint communiqué issued after a meeting between the Chinese and Russian prime ministers said the countries agreed to expand Arctic shipping cooperation, including by increasing the number of routes between their ports. AFP described the Arctic as an important trade route where Europe, China, Russia and the United States are competing for influence.
The EU and Canada are scheduled to discuss Arctic cooperation at a summit Oct. 29-30.
