The Arctic region is becoming a hotly contested area, with global powers vying for access to its vast natural resources and potential new maritime trade routes. China, despite being geographically distant, has declared itself a “near-Arctic state” and is actively seeking to establish a permanent presence in the region. Norway’s mayor of a small town on its northern tip, Magnus Mæland, notes that three delegations from China have visited him since he took office, stating, “It’s because they want to be a polar superpower.”
The melting of Arctic ice due to climate change is opening up opportunities for countries to access the region’s resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas. An estimated 30% of untapped natural gas is believed to be found in the Arctic. New maritime trade routes could also drastically reduce travel time between Asia and Europe. However, this has raised concerns about the potential for increased competition and tensions between nations.
Norway’s port of Kirkenes, located within the Arctic Circle, hopes to become a key stop for Chinese cargo ships. Port director Terje Jørgensen plans to build a new international port, envisioning Kirkenes as the “Singapore of Europe’s High North.” However, Mayor Mæland is wary of China’s intentions, stating, “We want a relationship with China, but we don’t want to be dependent on China.”
The region is also witnessing increased military activity, with Russia and China conducting joint military exercises and patrols in the Arctic. Andreas Østhagen, a senior fellow at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, describes the Arctic as “low-hanging fruit” for Russian-Chinese collaboration. However, he cautions against overrating the Russia-China relationship, noting that Russia remains wary of letting China too deep into its Arctic.
Nato allies are responding to the increased military activity, with Norway and its allies providing a more robust deterrent against Russia in the Arctic. Vice Adm Rune Andersen, chief of the Norwegian joint headquarters, notes that the Russian concentration of nuclear weapons and capabilities in the Arctic are not only aimed at Europe but also at the US.
As the scramble for the Arctic continues, indigenous communities are raising concerns about the impact of increased activity on their lands and way of life. Miyuki Daorana, a youth activist from Greenland, accuses European countries of using the “climate crisis” as an excuse to “extract and invade indigenous lands,” a practice she calls “green colonialism or developmental aggression.”
The rising tensions in the Arctic are not without consequences, with increased risks of misinterpretation or miscalculation between rival nations. As global powers continue to vie for access to the region’s resources, the need for clear guidelines and cooperation will become increasingly important.