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China unveils plans for a 'Polar Silk Road' across the Arctic

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Concerns over Beijing's hopes of developing the Arctic are unnecessary, vice-foreign minister says

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a news conference after a 2017 forum on developing shipping lanes in the Arctic. ( Jason Lee/Reuters)

China on Friday outlined its ambitions to extend President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative to the Arctic by developing shipping lanes opened up by global warming.

Releasing its first official Arctic policy white paper, China said it would encourage enterprises to build infrastructure and conduct commercial trial voyages, paving the way for Arctic shipping routes.

"China hopes to work with all parties to build a 'Polar Silk Road' through developing the Arctic shipping routes," said the paper, which is issued by the State Council Information Office.

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Xi's Belt and Road initiative aims to connect China to Europe, the Middle East and beyond via massive infrastructure projects across dozens of countries, reflecting the president's desire for China to take on a more prominent global leadership role.

China, despite being a non-Arctic state, is increasingly active in the polar region and became an observer member of the Arctic Council in 2013.

Shorter shipping routes

Among its increasing interests in the region is its major stake in Russia's Yamal liquefied natural gas project which is expected to supply China with four million tonnes of LNG a year, according to the state-run China Daily.

Shipping through the Northern Sea Route would shave almost 20 days off the regular time using the traditional route through the Suez Canal, the newspaper reported last month. COSCO Shipping has also previously sailed vessels through the Arctic's northeast passage.

China's increasing prominence in the region has prompted concerns from Arctic states over its long-term strategic objectives, including possible military deployment.

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"Some people may have misgivings over our participation in the development of the Arctic, worried we may have other intentions, or that we may plunder resources or damage the environment," Vice-Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said at a briefing.

"I believe these kinds of concerns are absolutely unnecessary."

The white paper said China also eyes development of oil, gas, mineral resources and other non-fossil energies, fishing and tourism in the region. It said it would do so "jointly with Arctic States, while respecting traditions and cultures of the Arctic residents including the Indigenous peoples and conserving natural environment."