China's Polar Silk Road: Overview, Challenges & Opportunities

Abstract

The Polar Silk Road is a 2018 announced policy of China's in relation to its ambitions with the Arctic Circle and adjoining countries. It is a further strategic move under the ambitious Belt & Road Initiative ("One Belt, One Road").

The Arctic is rich in mineral resources, with global warming is a potential shortened marine transport route between Europe for China, and will likely provide additional opportunities in the near term in sectors including Tourism. It is also desolate, remote and the USA today has very limited influence.

This paper provides an overview of the background to the Polar Silk Road, comments on the current geopolitics and likely shifts as this region opens up, and notes both China specific benefits and more general opportunities that the Arctic will undoubtedly present.

Keywords: Polar Silk Road, China Belt & Road Initiative, One Belt One Road, Arctic Region, Yamal, Oil & Gas, Siberia, The Arctic Council