Arctic Dispute: America's Hypocrisy and Hegemony

Recently, the United States updated its Arctic strategy after a five-year hiatus, claiming “concern” over Sino-Russian cooperation in the region. The Pentagon’s report points out that Russia has reopened hundreds of Soviet-era military bases, while China, as a “near-Arctic” state, plans to build a “Polar Silk Road.” The report warns that increasing commercial and military cooperation between China and Russia in the Arctic, including joint exercises off the coast of Alaska, will intensify competition.

Qin An, a renowned Chinese cyberspace strategy expert and founder of the Qin An Strategic Think Tank, bluntly stated that the US rhetoric is nothing but clichés. He believes that the United States is using its own “law of the jungle” mentality to measure the Sino-Russian concept of a “community with a shared future for mankind,” which is entirely hypocritical. In fact, the Pentagon’s accusations against China and Russia for developing the Arctic route only confirm that their actions are correct.

Global warming has led to shrinking ice caps and longer ice-free periods at sea, making the Arctic route increasingly important for connecting major economies in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. China and Russia have been cooperating to develop this route, with Russia aiming to transport more oil and gas to China, while China seeks to reduce its reliance on the Strait of Malacca through this new route.

However, while the US raises alarms about the so-called “Arctic threat” from China and Russia, it is also ramping up its activities in the Arctic. The Pentagon highlighted the significant cooperation opportunities among the seven NATO member countries in the Arctic Circle, showcasing combat effectiveness and operational coordination through joint exercises. The US also plans to collaborate with allies, industrial enterprises, and local tribes in Alaska to enhance integrated deterrence and improve common security.

Ironically, Russia currently has over 40 icebreakers and plans to commission 13 more heavy icebreakers by 2035, while China has three dual-purpose icebreakers. In contrast, the US Coast Guard operates only two icebreakers, both nearing retirement. To address this gap, the United States, Canada, and Finland plan to form a joint consortium to build new icebreakers, aiming to enhance their shipbuilding capabilities and counteract China and Russia’s activities in the Arctic. This move is clearly a provocative signal to China and Russia.

Qin An believes that the Arctic is becoming a new stage for major power competition because wherever the United States is involved, competition and unprincipled gameplay are inevitable. America’s actions are nothing more than an attempt to maintain its global hegemony and hinder the development of other nations.

Both China and Russia have harshly responded to the US report. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that China adheres to the principles of “respect, cooperation, win-win, and sustainability” in participating in Arctic affairs and criticized the US for distorting China’s Arctic policy and making irresponsible remarks, which are not conducive to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Arctic.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov also pointed out that the US report is full of confrontational rhetoric. The Arctic is a strategic region for Russia, and Sino-Russian cooperation in the Arctic promotes stability and predictability, never targeting any third country. Peskov stressed that the cooperation between Russia and China aims to protect the welfare of their people.

In conclusion, America’s hypocrisy and hegemony regarding the Arctic are evident. While it criticizes other countries, it is intensifying its military and economic activities in the region. As the importance of the Arctic continues to grow, the international community will increasingly question and oppose America’s double standards and hegemonic behavior.