The “Polar Silk Road” and Chinese interests in the Arctic

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present the latest complement to the renowned Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and study what drives China northward and why. Since the “Polar Silk Road” concerns foreign affairs, the thesis begins with a historical overview of Chinese foreign policy from the mid-twentieth century to today. In particular, the focus is on the strategies that contributed to shifting from marginality to assertiveness in the international arena. The analysis continues with the description of the BRI, launched by Xi Jinping in 2013 with the broader goal of strengthening connectivity between China and its closer and wider periphery and consisting of two main projects: the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. The former implies linking China to Europe through Asia by a system of roads, railways and energy infrastructure, the latter by a network of ports. Announced in 2018, the “Polar Silk Road” integrates such a vast infrastructural plan, essentially suggesting to develop shipping routes in the Arctic; the related “China’s Arctic Policy”, however, discloses other interests in the region, including energy resources, scientific research, climate change and environmental protection. Finally, the text explores the reasons for these interests and provides evidence accordingly.