The increasing cooperation between China and Russia in the Arctic has become a major concern for the United States and its Arctic allies, according to General Charles Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He urged for vigilance in monitoring the activities of China and Russia in order to maintain the security and stability of the Arctic region.
During the Arctic Chiefs of Defense meeting in Iceland, General Brown highlighted the growing collaboration between Russia and China, particularly in the Arctic, as an area of interest and concern for the United States and its allies. He emphasized the importance of understanding the motivations behind their joint activities, whether they serve a positive purpose for society or pose challenges to other nations and interests.
The United States remains focused on thwarting any malicious activities, including Russia’s modernized capabilities posing risks to allied territories and interests, China’s increasing influence in the region, and the growing cooperation between the two countries. General Brown’s participation in the meeting marked the first time a Chairman has done so, with attendees from countries such as Iceland, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden discussing Arctic security affairs.
The Pentagon reiterated its commitment to ensuring Arctic security and urged nations to enhance cooperation to improve mobility and situational awareness in the region. The United States has long recognized the strategic significance of the Arctic, updating its Arctic strategy in July to counteract hostile activities by China and Russia and address the heightened security threats in the region due to their ongoing collaboration.
Recent months have witnessed a series of large-scale naval exercises by China and Russia in the Pacific region, with Russian bombers conducting more missions near Alaska. Meanwhile, the US detected joint naval formations of Russian and Chinese maritime forces in the Bering Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard’s first entry into the Arctic during an exercise with Russia on October 1 highlighted China’s expanding maritime operations and support for international and regional maritime governance efforts.
China’s ambition to establish a commercial trade route, known as the “Polar Silk Road,” connecting Northeast Asia to Europe through the Arctic has been a growing interest. In 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin announced the joint construction of the Polar Silk Road as an alternative maritime route to reduce reliance on congested chokepoints like the Malacca Strait and the Suez Canal.
China identifies itself as a “near-Arctic” state and aims to enhance its influence in the Arctic through the Polar Silk Road as part of its military-civil fusion strategy. This interest has spurred increased Russian activities in the region, bolstered by Russia’s extensive icebreaker fleet and infrastructure along its northern border.
Russia continues to expand its nuclear submarine fleet based in the Arctic and conduct missions in the Atlantic. Last month, joint naval exercises between Chinese and Russian navies took place in the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea, spanning the two main sea routes from China’s coast to the Arctic. Additionally, both countries conducted joint maritime and aerial patrols in the North Pacific and near the coast of Alaska.