Climate Change and the Polar Silk Road in China’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

As an area rich in unexplored resources, the Arctic is assuming an increasingly important geoeconomic and geopolitical role among Arctic and non-Arctic states. The Arctic is the epicenter of the fight to preserve the planet from the effects of climate change. In the near future new trade routes will emerge in the region, which saves energy and time as a considerable security and geopolitical aspect. China has been working on building its regional ambitions for several years and released China’s Arctic Policy in early 2018, according to which the country would like to integrate this region into the New Silk Road Project, too. As a responsible large power, China’s commitment to the peaceful development of the Arctic through the Polar Silk Road is heartening.

Keywords

• arctic
• china
• climate change
• polar silk road
• sustainability