Chinese bombers, Russian-Chinese exercises and a long-term plan are putting pressure on the defense in the Arctic. The Defense Academy calls for armament and closer cooperation with allies.
The Chinese military is not a threat here and now, but the country is arming itself in the Arctic, and Denmark and Greenland would be wise to take this seriously.
Berlingske writes this based on a new report from the Danish Defence Academy entitled: “China as a global military superpower – military strategic perspectives for Danish defence”.
China has observer status in the Arctic Council, but in 2018 they published a strategy paper in which they call the institution inadequate. Camilla Tenna Nørup Sørensen, one of the authors of the report, tells Berlingske.
– The Council only gives influence to countries that have territory in the Arctic, and thus China is excluded from direct influence.
China’s interests in the Arctic are particularly driven by a desire to extract natural resources from the seabed. But Berlingske further writes that the country is also interested in opening a so-called “Northern Silk Road” as the ice melts and opens up new trade routes.
Chinese ships in the Arctic
The report states that China wants a military that can rival the United States. That is why they have a long-term plan until 2049. The Danish Defense Intelligence Service estimates that China expects to have a military presence in the Arctic within the next 10 years.
Last July, the Chinese flew bombers close to Alaska and the Chinese Coast Guard recently held exercises in the Arctic with the Russian Navy – and the Danish Defence Academy estimates that these exercises will only become more frequent.
Therefore, they call in the report that Greenland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and allies strengthen defense cooperation so that the defense is prepared when they increasingly encounter the Chinese navy on expeditions and transits in the Arctic.
Russian Weakening – Chinese Strength
Berlingske writes that Russia and China have tried to get the BRICS countries to have more influence in Arctic diplomacy. BRICS is an economic and political association of countries outside NATO, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Today, Russia is very dependent on cooperation with China, as their economy is under sanctions and they continue to wage war against Ukraine.
Therefore, the report assesses that a continued weakening of Russia will give China even greater room for maneuver in the Russian part of the Arctic, which the military will exploit.
– If the non-Arctic countries get their foot in the door first in Arctic diplomacy, it will be difficult to push back the development, says Camilla Tenna Nørup Sørensen to Berlingske.