China on Friday outlined its ambitions to develop a "Polar Silk Road" of new Arctic 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," the paper, issued by the State Council Information Office, said.

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.

The project is the latest extension of President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China to Europe, the Middle East and beyond via massive infrastructure project.