China’s Arctic Policy 2023: A 12-Month Outlook

Global climate change has caused Arctic temperatures to rise at an alarming rate, bringing catastrophe and opportunity [source]. China, a self-defined “near-Arctic state,” seeks to take advantage of these events [source]. In the next 12 months, heavy Chinese industry development in the Arctic is almost certain to continue. It is highly likely that the use of Arctic shipping lanes will increase. Finally, contemporary Chinese cooperation in the Arctic is likely false, though significant actions in the next 12 months are very unlikely.