Growing cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic, the Pentagon says By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia and China are increasingly cooperating in the Arctic region, which could affect regional stability, the US military said as it released its Arctic strategy on Monday.

Russia has reopened hundreds of Soviet-era military bases in the Arctic, the report said. China, which describes itself as a country “near the Arctic”, also has ambitions there and has said it aims to build a “Polar Silk Road.” China has its eyes on mineral resources and new shipping lanes as ice packs shrink due to rising temperatures.

“Increasingly, the (People's Republic of China) and Russia are cooperating in the Arctic on all national energy instruments,” the Pentagon report said.

“Although important areas of disagreement between the PRC and Russia remain, their growing alignment in the region is worrying, and (the Ministry of Defense) continues to monitor this cooperation,” it added.

Arctic sea lanes are increasingly being used to connect large economies across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as global warming shrinks ice packs and allows for longer sea ice-free periods.

China and Russia have been working together to develop Arctic shipping lanes as Russia seeks to bring more oil and gas to China through Western sanctions while China seeks an alternative shipping route to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca.

The Pentagon report added that China is looking to develop “changing power in the Arctic to pursue greater influence and reach, take advantage of Arctic resources, and play a greater role in regional governance.”

The Pentagon report added that the US military has a “surveillance and response” strategy in the region built on intelligence gathering, cooperation with allies and the ability to deploy military equipment.

This month, the US, Canada and Finland will form a consortium to build icebreakers, aimed at strengthening the alliance's naval infrastructure and countering Russia and China in increasingly low-lying areas.

The agreement – which the three NATO members intend to sign by the end of the year – will consolidate the allies' need to increase shipbuilding capacity, the official said, adding that they are meant to send a message to Russia and China.