Speaking Of Asia

Arctic could be next South China Sea

High up in the Arctic Circle, manoeuvres are under way involving Russia, China and the United States, centred on similar geostrategic concerns of navigation and access to energy resources.

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On Wednesday, Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Audun Halvorsen called in High North News, a publication from Nord University, to rebut strong warnings issued by the United States against Chinese and Russian attempts at challenging Western interests in icy regions of the North Pole.

"Chinese activity in the region is still limited. The high north is still characterised by low tension and predictability," Mr Halvorsen said in the interview. "We do not perceive China to be a threat to Nato. However, the alliance also has to relate to China's increasing role on the international arena."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 29, 2020, with the headline Arctic could be next South China Sea. Subscribe