U) Exploring the Relationship between China's Investment in the Arctic and Its National Strategy

In this report, we address the following questions: • How does the Arctic fit in China’s national strategy, and what are the PRC’s strategic objectives in the Arctic? • How does the PRC pursue its objectives in the region? • What is the role of overseas investment in China’s efforts to achieve its goals in the Arctic? How does the PRC party-state influence PRC-based firms to ensure that their inve. [...] How Does the Arctic Fit in China’s National Strategy? To situate China’s activities in the Arctic within the broader context of the PRC party-state’s grand strategy, this section examines the following topics: • The PRC’s overarching strategic objectives, as articulated by senior party-state leaders and official documents • PRC perceptions of the value of the Arctic to achieving those overarching. [...] that developments in the Arctic affect China, which therefore has the right to participate Arctic affairs.77 PRC official statements and foreign-directed media seek to China respects the sovereignty reassure Arctic states that Beijing “respects the sovereignty, of Arctic states and the sovereign rights, and jurisdiction enjoyed by the Arctic States in traditions and cultures of this region.”78 PRC. [...] Arctic.”80 PRC official statements and state-run media highlight the PRC’s The PRC’s scientific research scientific research activities in the region and emphasize their in the Arctic will contribute to potential to help protect the environment and mitigate the efforts to protect the effects of climate change.81 China has also shared Arctic research environment and combat data with other countries. [...] These agreements included an SRF share acquisition in the project and a 730 million Euro loan to finance the effort.285 The two parties completed the transaction in March 2016, allowing the SRF to acquire a 9.9 percent share in the project.286 Other investors in the Yamal LNG include China National Petroleum Corporation (20 percent) and the French oil and gas company Total (20 percent).287 The SRF.