China seeks to “act in a positive way” within the Arctic Council, ambassadors say

China plans to act as “a serious player and peaceful power” and “act in a positive way” as an observer at the Arctic Council, the Chinese ambassador to Finland Huang Xing told the Xinhua news agency.

“I am pleased to learn the news that China has been accepted as a formal observer of this organization,” Huang told Xinhua in an interview in Helsinki late May 17.

The Arctic Council official welcomed China, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore as new observers May 15 at the ministerial meeting in Kiruna, Sweden.

“An observer has limited rights, but anyhow, we would very much like to participate in the discussion in the political arena, and also in scientific research, as well as in the economic field,” Huang said.

Huang also told Xinhua that he would like “to see the healthy development” in Arctic.

“I am sure it is a matter which not only concerns the surrounding countries of the Arctic but also concerns other members of the international community,” he said.

China could “get benefits out of the developments in research, economic exploitation as well as transport,” he suggested.

Academics have said China has an interest in the Arctic mostly because climate change will open new, shorter maritime shipping routes.

China, as a trading nation, is interested in using the Northern Sea Route north of Russia to export goods to western Europe, as well as the possible use of trade routes to North America over the North Pole that could be opened up by climate change.

A former Chinese Ambassador to Norway, Tang Guoqiang, also told Xinhua that China will be able strengthen its cooperation with countries surrounding the Arctic in scientific research, the opening of new shipping routes and resource exploration.

Tang said China will likely want to import oil and gas from the Arctic region.

“China will cooperate with other Arctic countries in energy based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win deals,” Tang said.