ARCTIC FRONT: GEOECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOR CHINA AND DENMARK
Abstract
The article thoroughly analyzes many key issues that shape the narrative of the interaction between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Denmark in the strategically important Arctic region. These issues include, but are not limited to, the complex dynamics of polar resource exploitation, territorial disputes, ideological differences, diplomatic intricacies, the influential role of the United States, concerns related to freedom of navigation, environmental imperatives, and the overarching theme of regional security. China’s and Denmark’s policies on access to Arctic resources reflect a complex interaction between economic interests and geopolitical factors in the context of technological progress, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. The territorial disputes in the Arctic that have been continuing for many years are analyzed in the context of the ideological foundations that contribute to these disputes. The diplomatic component of Sino-Danish relations provides a comprehensive understanding of the unstable balance between cooperation and competition in the region. A special feature of the analysis is the inclusion of the American factor – the role and influence of the United States in polar affairs, in particular, the assessment of how the US position affects the strategic calculations of China and Denmark in the region. In addition, the article discusses freedom of navigation in the Far North, recognizing the strategic importance of unimpeded access to sea routes, including aspects of international law of the sea and the impact of naval forces. Furthermore, the author emphasizes the connection between environmental sustainability and regional security, taking into account the global impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the polar zone. Finally, the article focuses on the fundamental importance of an interdisciplinary approach when analyzing the growing importance of the Arctic in the 21st century. The region’s potential for resource exploitation, trade routes, and environmental preservation is not only a matter of national interest, but also has significant implications for global trade and geopolitical dynamics.
References
Thompson-Jones M. Why america should lose sleep over Greenland (think China). The National Interest. URL: https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-america-should-lose-sleep-over-greenland-think-china-25447 (date of access: 01.11.2023).
Bennett M. M., Eiterjord T. Remote control? Chinese infrastructure in and above the Arctic global commons. The Geographical Journal. URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12503 (date of access: 02.11.2023).
Brødsgaard K. E. Chinese-Danish relations: the collapse of a special relationship. Copenhagen Discussion Papers. 2010. No. 2010-36. P. 1–19 (date of access: 29.10.2023).
Rasmussen J. Denmark and Taiwan – edging closer? Institute for Security and Development Policy. URL: https://isdp.eu/denmark-and-taiwan-edging-closer/ (date of access: 15.11.2023).
Creery J. Denmark defends Hong Kong protester 'Pillar of Shame' statue following Chinese pressure. Hong Kong Free Press. URL: https://hongkongfp.com/2020/02/11/denmark-defends-hong-kong-protester-pillar-shame-statue-following-chinese-pressure/ (date of access: 05.10.2023).
Oelze S. Danish coronavirus cartoon unfurls controversy in China. Deutsche Welle. URL: https://www.dw.com/en/china-angry-over-coronavirus-cartoon-in-danish-newspaper/a-52196383 (date of access: 22.11.2023).
EU agrees first sanctions on China in more than 30 years. Euronews. URL: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2021/03/22/eu-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-sanctions-on-china-and-myanmar (date of access: 10.11.2023).
Kykyna A., Zayats O. China’s resource diplomacy in the Arctic: implications for Greenland. Black Sea Economic Studies. 2023. No. 82. P. 15–21. URL: https://doi.org/10.32782/bses.82-2 (date of access: 28.11.2023).
Nilsen T. Arctic oil-driller Gazprom Neft creates its own private military company. The Independent Barents Observer. URL: https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2023/02/arctic-oil-driller-gazprom-neft-creates-its-own-private-military-company (date of access: 28.11.2023).
Ward C. Project Iceworm: the Pentagon’s secret base under the Greenland ice. SlashGear. URL: https://www.slashgear.com/1402972/project-iceworm-cold-war-pentagon-secret-greenland-base/ (date of access: 14.10.2023).
Henley J. Greenland’s receding icecap to expose top-secret US nuclear project. The Guardian. URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/27/receding-icecap-top-secret-us-nuclear-project-greenland-camp-century-project-iceworm (date of access: 12.11.2023).
Thompson-Jones M. (2018) Why america should lose sleep over Greenland (think China). The National Interest. Available at: https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-america-should-lose-sleep-over-greenland-think-china-25447 (accessed November 1, 2023).
Bennett M. M., Eiterjord T. (2022) Remote control? Chinese infrastructure in and above the Arctic global commons. The Geographical Journal. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12503 (accessed November 2, 2023).
Brødsgaard K. E. (2010) Chinese-Danish relations: the collapse of a special relationship. Copenhagen Discussion Papers, no. 2010-36, pp. 1–19 (accessed October 29, 2023).
Rasmussen J. (2023) Denmark and Taiwan – edging closer? Institute for Security and Development Policy. Available at: https://isdp.eu/denmark-and-taiwan-edging-closer/ (accessed November 15, 2023).
Creery J. (2020) Denmark defends Hong Kong protester 'Pillar of Shame' statue following Chinese pressure. Hong Kong Free Press. Available at: https://hongkongfp.com/2020/02/11/denmark-defends-hong-kong-protester-pillar-shame-statue-following-chinese-pressure/ (accessed October 5, 2023).
Oelze S. (2020) Danish coronavirus cartoon unfurls controversy in China. Deutsche Welle. Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/china-angry-over-coronavirus-cartoon-in-danish-newspaper/a-52196383 (accessed November 22, 2023).
EU agrees first sanctions on China in more than 30 years (2021) Euronews. Available at: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2021/03/22/eu-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-sanctions-on-china-and-myanmar (accessed November 10, 2023).
Kykyna A., Zayats O. (2023) China’s resource diplomacy in the Arctic: implications for Greenland. Black Sea Economic Studies, no. 82, pp. 15–21. Available at: https://doi.org/10.32782/bses.82-2 (accessed November 28, 2023).
Nilsen T. (2023) Arctic oil-driller Gazprom Neft creates its own private military company. The Independent Barents Observer. Available at: https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2023/02/arctic-oil-driller-gazprom-neft-creates-its-own-private-military-company (accessed November 28, 2023).
Ward C. (2023) Project Iceworm: the Pentagon’s secret base under the Greenland ice. SlashGear. Available at: https://www.slashgear.com/1402972/project-iceworm-cold-war-pentagon-secret-greenland-base/ (accessed October 14, 2023).
Henley J. (2016) Greenland’s receding icecap to expose top-secret US nuclear project. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/27/receding-icecap-top-secret-us-nuclear-project-greenland-camp-century-project-iceworm (accessed November 12, 2023).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.