China-Russia Relations in the Arctic: What Are the Northern Limits of Their Partnership?

Table of Contents

• Arctic exceptionalism 2
• The relationship between Russia and China has emerged as a central question to the Arctics uncertain future and the United States security and interests. 2
• Arctic Opening Has Fueled Chinas Interest in the Region 3
• Arctic Policy 4
• The Arctic is rich in culture and resources features logistical shortcuts and might offer food water and bearable living conditions in a hotter future when situations worsen at lower latitudes. 4
• China Has Sought Partnership Opportunities from Across the Arctic Gaining the Most Traction in Russia 5
• Several Options for How the Sino- Russian Arctic Relationship Could Evolve 7
• China has not written a blank check for Russia to develop its Siberian energy reserves. 7
• Politics and Supply-and-Demand Economics Will Influence the Degree of Warmth Between China and Russia in the Arctic 10
• If their relationship was purely economic Moscow and Beijing would neither be operating warships together near Alaska nor signing a maritime law enforcement partnership. 11
• Conclusion Western Arctic Nations Could Maintain an Upper Hand by Decoupling Russia and China in Regional Policies 12
• The growing presence of China in the Arctic as a Russian partner has led to a rare situation in which two competitiveand potentially hostilestates are in very close proximity to North America. 12
• The future of Chinas Arctic cooperation may rest as much or even more in the decisions that the United States and its like-minded regional partners make than the decisions that Russia makes. 13
• Notes 14
• References 16
• Acknowledgments 18
• About the Authors 19