China and Russia's growing arctic ambitions worry NATO

On August 21, a group of Chinese researchers visited the Russian scientific center in Barentsburg, in the Arctic. The deepening of cooperation raises concerns among NATO countries.

China is not only leading in new technologies but also seeks to deepen cooperation with Russia in the Arctic, which is causing concerns within NATO.

According to the American edition of Newsweek, Russia and China have announced their intention to intensify joint scientific activities. "China and Russia are looking to work more closely together in the Arctic, including in science, a senior Chinese official for the polar regions said during a visit to a territory that is part of Norway, in a potential challenge to the NATO member," the weekly reported.

Tiejun Ling, Deputy Director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, visited just after three Chinese icebreakers' voyage in the waters near the North Pole. Newsweek considered this a "further sign of China's deepening interest."

It was noted that Tiejun Ling's visit occurred right after three Chinese icebreakers passed through waters near the North Pole. Newsweek evaluated this event as further evidence of China's increasing interest in this contested region.

The American "Newsweek," citing information from the Norwegian portal High North News, reports that Chinese scientists in Barentsburg (a locality in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard) discussed the potential joining of research projects conducted in the Russian scientific center.

In July, scientists from Turkey also visited Svalbard, where they discussed with the Russian company Trust Arktikugol the possibility of creating a new research center for BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and other allies, such as Turkey. The planned station would be located in the almost deserted Russian settlement of Pyramiden.

"That too could be viewed as a potential challenge to sovereign Norway, which says it has overall control of scientific research in the archipelago where "warlike purposes" are forbidden by treaty. The 1920 treaty offers economic and other access to signatories including Russia and China," we read in "Newsweek."

Last month, the American magazine reported that Chinese scientists operating in Svalbard might be conducting research on potential military applications, including weapons. One of the most important Chinese institutes, which claims to serve the military and collaborates with many units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, also operates there, wrote "Newsweek."

The Chinese Polar Research Institute has a research station in Ny-Alesund on Svalbard, known as the Yellow River Station. Launched in 2014, the station is part of a Norwegian project to support international scientific cooperation in the natural sciences.