Speakers: Dr. Stephanie Pezard, Dr. Irina Chindea, Yuliya Shokh, and Dr. Naoko Aoki (RAND)
Date: 24 June 2025
Speaker Session Summary
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Stephanie Pezard (RAND), Dr. Irina Chindea (RAND), Yuliya Shokh (RAND), and Dr. Naoko Aoki (RAND) as part of its SMA INDOPACOM Speaker Series.
China’s research and information-gathering activities in the Arctic have raised security concerns among other Arctic nations, particularly regarding infrastructure, natural resources, data management, and diplomatic influence. China’s involvement in the region began in 1996 with its proposal to establish a temporary research station on the Svalbard Archipelago—an initiative that eventually became permanent. In 2013, China obtained observer status in the Arctic Council and published its first Arctic policy in a 2018 White Paper. Since then, many nations have perceived China’s increasing Arctic activity as both an economic opportunity and as a potential security threat.
These concerns primarily stem from China’s investments in and ownership of infrastructure near military bases and other security-related facilities, which could enable the collection of sensitive data. Data protection is especially important as China offers countries security packages that include biometric data collection and 5G internet that stores data on Chinese servers in China. Additionally, China’s investment in mining and other natural resources raises fears that it could create resource dependencies that might be leveraged for diplomatic advantage.
China also seeks to shape Arctic governance through its participation in Arctic Council working groups. It further engages with international organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization, to influence global shipping norms, which also apply to Arctic regulatory frameworks.
While not all Chinese activities in the Arctic are considered malicious, the speakers emphasized that actions falling outside China’s stated economic, diplomatic, or scientific objectives should be subject to heightened scrutiny by the United States and other Arctic nations. For example, Sweden declined China’s investment in infrastructure close to one of its military bases.
Speaker Session Recording
Briefing Materials
Also forthcoming!
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