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ICAS Maritime Affairs Handbill (online ISSN 2837-3901, print ISSN 2837-3871) is published the last Tuesday of the month throughout the year at 1919 M St NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036.
The online version of ICAS Maritime Affairs Handbill can be found at chinaus-icas.org/icas-maritime-affairs-program/map-handbill/.
In ‘biggest-Ever’ Haul, Indian Coast Guard Seizes 5 Ton Drugs In Andaman Waters
November 25 – Hindustan Times
[Indian Ocean]
On November 25, the Indian Coast Guard seized what is likely to be its biggest ever drug consignment—around five tonnes of drugs—from a fishing boat that was sailing in Andaman waters. The seizure was one in a string of several anti-narcotics operations in the region.
Leaders Fail To Address Overfishing Near Europe At ‘fraught’ International Meeting
November 22 – Mongabay
[Atlantic Ocean, Global]
From November 12-15, the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), a multilateral regional body that controls fishing in international waters, held its annual meeting in London, United Kingdom. Non-government organizations and other observers are protesting against the NEAFC member countries’ failure to address overfishing of certain fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, including mackerel and herring, which have been reported as being overfished for years.
EU Council Adopts New Maritime Safety Legislation For Cleaner, Safer Shipping
November 18 – IBEX Publishing
[Europe, Global]
The Council of the European Union (EU) has a new ‘maritime safety’ legislative package, involving four pieces of legislation, that collectively aims to align EU rules with international standards, improve cross-border coordination and enforcement, and incorporate international standards on marine environment protection into EU law.
Malaysia Protests New Philippine Maritime Zones Laws For South China Sea
November 15 – Radio Free Asia
[South China Sea, Asia-Pacific]
After Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed two laws on November 8—the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act—Malaysia sent an official protest note to Manila on the grounds that the laws encroach on Malaysia’s state of Sabah. China’s foreign ministry also officially rejected the laws within days, stating that they infringe upon Beijing’s territorial sovereignty and rights, and released a definition of the baseline for “territorial waters” around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which the Philippines protested in turn.
First Oceans 20 Communiqué Urges Bold G20 Action For Ocean Stewardship
November 12 – Globe Newswire
[Brazil]
One week ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in Brazil, Oceans 20 released a Communiqué outlining ten priority themes and six actionable recommendations that “promote a sustainable ocean economy, energy transition, food security, marine conservation, strengthened governance, and increased ocean finance.” The Communiqué was drafted after gathering over 6,000 participants from 34 countries, including 300 expert speakers.
The EU Says It Won’t Renew A Fishing Agreement With Senegal Criticized By Many In The Country
November 12 – ABC News
[Senegal]
After the European Union (EU) identified Senegal as a “non-cooperating country” in countering illegal fishing earlier this year, the EU has now announced that, unless there were “encouraging developments,” their fishing agreement with Senegal signed in 2019 that allows European vessels to fish in Senegalese waters would not be renewed.
Indonesia’s Maritime Agency To Hold Talks With Chinese Coast Guard
November 11 – The Jakarta Post
[Southeast Asia, China]
Indonesia’s chief of its maritime security agency known as Bakamla Vice Adm. Irvansyah announced that Bakamla will hold a meeting with the Chinese coast guard in late November or early December 2024. The official remark highlighted that the bilateral meeting will not include talks on security issues in the South China Sea but focus on joint maritime maneuver and training.
India, Maldives Strengthen Maritime Security Ties To Support Regional Stability
November 8 – Indo-Pacific Defense Forum
[India, Maldives]
India and the Maldives have agreed to enhance joint surveillance, radar upgrades, and coastal infrastructure improvements to strengthen their defense and maritime security partnership. They will also now look towards addressing threats like piracy, illegal fishing, and natural disasters to work towards their shared goal of maintaining regional stability.
Court Challenges Slow Italy’s Out-of-Country Migrant Transfer Centers
November 7 – The Maritime Executive
[Mediterranean Sea]
In an attempt to move the burden of asylum claims away from Italy’s shores and stave off the rising influx of migrants coming from Libya and Tunisia, the Italian government set up two out-of-country processing centers in Albania for maritime migrants rescued near the Italian coastline. However, the first month of the centers’ operations faced legal opposition over the suitability of the transfer centers for migrants whose nations of origin are unsafe for repatriation.
Moroccan Forces Foil Hijacking Attempt On Cargo Ship
November 6 – BAIRD Maritime
[Atlantic Ocean, Africa]
On November 4, the Royal Moroccan Navy successfully intercepted an attempted hijacking of a commercial cargo vessel off Morocco’s Atlantic coast, taking into custody the attacking group of 54 suspected migrants. The Liberia-flagged ship was approximately 100 kilometers off the southwestern coast of Morocco when its crew alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.
US Says Its Forces Are Supporting Philippines in South China Sea
November 21 – Bloomberg
[United States, South China Sea]
After U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced he had visited with members deployed to “Task Force-Ayungin” during a trip to the Philippines, a spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Manila confirmed that U.S. military forces are supporting the Philippines in the South China Sea as part of “Task Force-Ayungin,” which “enhances US-Philippine alliance coordination and interoperability.” ‘Ayungin’ is the Philippines’ name for the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Sabotage threats loom as Norway joins international subsea cable initiative
November 21 – Arctic Today
[Baltic Sea]
After subsea data cables connecting Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Lithuania were damaged on November 18, Danish authorities began suspecting the Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3, which data shows drifted around the site at the time of damage, but circumstances remain unclear. The day after the damage was reported, Norway announced its endorsement of an international initiative on underwater communication security. European foreign ministers, recalling similar events in 2023, expressed concerns over intentional damage, citing growing hybrid warfare threats.
Nigeria, India To Strengthen Ties On Counter-Terrorism, Maritime Security
November 17 – Voice of Nigeria
[Africa, South Asia]
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged deeper collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, and economic development during a state visit by Prime Minister Modi during which key agreements on defense modernization support, energy partnerships, and $14 billion in Indian investments across critical sectors were signed.
Philippines Boosts Coastguard Fleet With 49 New Ships From France, Japan
November 13 – South China Morning Post
[The Philippines]
The Philippine coast guard announced plans to “more than double” their capability starting in 2027 with the planned acquisition of 49 new ships from France and Japan. A Philippine coast guard commandant confirmed that 40 of the vessels would include 40 fast-patrol craft from France.
Houthis Attack Two U.S. Destroyers Leaving The Red Sea, Pentagon Says
November 12 – USNI News
[Red Sea, United States, Middle East]
The U.S. Department of Defense reported Yemen-based Houthi forces attacked two independently-deployed U.S. destroyers on November 11 with drones and missiles as they were sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait entering the Gulf of Aden. This marks the second time that the USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106) had faced Houthi fire.
Exercise Nemo Boosts Maritime Security In The Gulf Of Guinea
November 12 – The Defense Post
[Gulf of Guinea]
West African nations and their international partners conducted Exercise Grand African Nemo to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. The drills, involving 28 nations and 55 naval units, focused on combating piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing, fall under the Yaoundé Architecture interregional security framework that was created in 2013 to counter illicit activities.
Indonesian, Russian Navies Hold Joint Counter-Terrorism Drills
November 11 – The Jakarta Post
[Java Sea, Russia, Southeast Asia]
From November 4-9, the navies of Russia and Indonesia held their inaugural bilateral joint naval drills. The drills were set to take place in two phases, one at a naval base in Surabaya and the other in the Java Sea, and involved practicing maneuvering, communication, and vessel inspection.
Australia Confirms Donation Of 14 Rigid Bull Boats To Ukraine
November 11 – Defence Connect
[Europe, Australia]
Australia has confirmed that they will provide 14 rigid hull boats valued at $14 million to bolster Ukraine’s maritime defense against Russian aggression. This support, part of the over $1.3 billion in military aid that has been given so far, builds on earlier contributions, including inflatable boats and 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks, to enhance Ukraine’s coastal security and armored capabilities.
Sweden Rejects Applications For Thirteen Offshore Wind Farms, Citing Security Concerns
November 5 – Euro News
[Baltic Sea, Europe]
The Swedish government has rejected a plan to build 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, off the Åland Islands and farther south along its eastern coast. Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson argued that wind farms will be a substantial defense challenge for detecting and countering missiles. Since 2022, the government has approved construction of three offshore wind farms.
US Envoy Sees Some ‘concerning Signals’ In Russia-China Military Cooperation In Arctic
November 1 – Reuters
[United States, The Arctic]
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs Michael Sfraga, speaking in a phone interview with Reuters, said the “frequency and the complexity” of recent military cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic sends “concerning signals” and the U.S. will continue to monitor activities.
Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor Opens To Boost India-Russia Trade
November 25 – Logistics Insider
[South Asia, Russia, Global]
India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways announced that the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, a 5,600-nautical-mile route also known as the Eastern Maritime Corridor, has officially begun operations and has successfully received container ships. The corridor is anticipated to reduce shipping times by almost half compared to alternatives.
Mexico’s Manzanillo Port To Double Container Capacity
November 24 – Seatrade Maritime News
[Central America, Pacific Ocean]
On November 23, Mexico launched the US$3 billion expansion of its Port of Manzanillo, Mexico’s primary Pacific Coast container ship port. The project, overseen by the Mexican Naval Ministry, is expected to increase the port’s capacity from 3.5 to 10 million teu, which would make Manzanillo Port the largest in Latina America and place it among the top 15 container ports in the world.
Cosco Shipping Inks Green Methanol Agreement
November 20 – Seatrade Maritime News
[China, Global]
China-based Cosco Shipping Group, Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Group, and U.S.-based Freeport Commodities have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on green energy shipping that plans to combine biomass resources and leading technologies.
Xi Jinping Inaugurates Peru’s Chancay Port, Emphasizes Deeper China-Latin America Cooperation
November 17 – Helsinki Times
[South America, China]
On November 14, the Port of Chancay in Peru, a US$1.3 billion Belt and Road Initiative project aimed at strengthening South America-Asia trade ties, was officially inaugurated and opened. Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke at the inauguration virtually while he was in Lima, Peru for a global summit, calling the port the “Inca Trail of the New Era.”
Amazon, IKEA Form Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance To Go Green In Shipping
November 15 – Marine Insight
[United States, Europe, Global]
Led by the Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance, over 30 global companies that rely on ocean freight transportation, including Amazon and IKEA, are pushing for the use of greener maritime fuels like e-methanol to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Starting in 2027, contracts for near-zero-emissions shipping aim to cut greenhouse gasses by 470,000 metric tons, leveraging collective demand to lower costs and drive industry decarbonization.
Report: Shipping Execs Believe They Are Ready for Cyberattacks
November 13 – The Maritime Executive
[Global]
A study by risk management provider DNV reveals overconfidence in maritime cybersecurity, with 80% of industry professionals believing that their organizations are prepared for cyber incidents despite evidence suggesting vulnerabilities remain. Key challenges include inconsistent readiness across diverse organizations, insufficient training and persistent risks like malware spread via USBs.
Andhra Pradesh Aims For Port-Led Economic Transformation
November 12 – The Hindu
[Indian Ocean]
India’s coastal state of Andhra Pradesh aims to become a key maritime hub by 2030 by leveraging port-led development to boost its economy. With new ports nearing completion and international collaborations, the state plans to increase cargo capacity and attract investments in shipbuilding, repair and industrial development.
Chinese Shipbuilder Could Soon Restart Production On Back Of MSC Mega Order
November 6 – Caixin Global
[China]
New reports from sources state that Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., once China’s largest shipyard that has since been laying dormant for almost a decade, has begun hiring personnel and repairing equipment for shipyard production to resume.
Late Arriving Containership Delays Reach Highest Levels Since Pandemic
November 4 – The Maritime Executive
[Global]
Container ship delays have reached their highest levels since the peak during the coronavirus pandemic, as reported by Sea-Intelligence. The global maritime shipping industry continues to grapple with disruptions in 2024, most notably the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence, noted that while schedule reliability in 2024 has stabilized between 50% and 55%, it has experienced a slight decline since peaking in May.
US Navy To Extend Service Lives Of 12 Destroyers
October 31 – Breaking Defense
[United States]
The US Navy will extend the service lives of 12 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, thus adding 48 operational years between 2028-2036. This US$6 billion initiative aims to bolster fleet size, support global operations, and maintain readiness while addressing budgeting constraints and long-term shipbuilding goals.
Divisions On Curbing Plastic Waste Persist As Un Treaty Talks Begin
November 25 – Reuters
[East Asia, Global]
On November 25, the fifth and hopefully final United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting on establishing an international treaty to address plastic pollution began in South Korea. This round of talks is expected to focus on chemicals of concern, which has been a divisive issue between petrochemical-producing nations and those suffering from pollution.
Plastic Reduces Krill’s Ability To Remove Carbon In The Deep Ocean, Marine Ecologists Find
November 21 – Phys.org
[Southern Ocean, The Antarctic]
A new scientific study indicates that Antarctic krill, a unique crustacean naturally capable of absorbing carbon dioxide and removing carbon, could be losing up to 27% of their carbon removal abilities due to the presence of nanoplastics in seawater.
Murad Unveils Sindh Delta Blue Carbon Project At COP-29
November 18 – The News International
[Middle East]
The chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh province highlighted Sindh’s Delta Blue Carbon project at COP29, showcasing its success in restoring mangroves, combating climate change, and fostering sustainable livelihoods in the Indus Delta. The pioneering public-private partnership has gained global recognition as a model for nature-based climate solutions and community engagement.
Mapping ‘gloop And Mud’ Sheds Light On Seabed Carbon Storage
November 14 – Mongabay
[North America, Europe]
New blue carbon mapping projects in Canada and the United Kingdom are revealing the significant carbon storage potential of seabed sediments, with Canada’s waters holding 10.9 billion metric tons and the UK’s seabeds storing 244 million metric tons of carbon. These findings, crucial for supporting seabed conservation, emphasize the risks of bottom trawling and call for policies to protect high-carbon areas, aiding global net-zero emissions goals.
‘Drowning’ Mangrove Forests In Maldives Signal Global Coastal Threat, Say Researchers
November 12 – Phys.org
[Indian Ocean, Global]
Researchers from Northumbria University have identified significant levels of dieback—a gradual deterioration before eventual death—of mangrove forests in the Maldives, attributing it to accelerated sea-level rise and increased salinity. From 2017-2020, sea levels around the Maldives rose by over 30mm annually, surpassing the mangroves’ natural sediment accumulation rate.
MarONet Buoy To Help NASA Illuminate Ocean’s Role In Climate Change
November 8 – SciTechDaily
[South Pacific Ocean, United States]
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in partnership with several universities, has deployed a 15-meter-tall buoy with a new optical system called MarONet (Marine Optical Network) off the coast of Perth, Australia to gather essential data on ocean health such as ocean color. The buoy’s data will assist in validating satellite observations used for climate regulations.
Dominion Energy Announces Installation of 78 Monopile Foundations, 4 Offshore Substation Foundations
November 6 – T&D World
[United States, Atlantic Ocean]
Dominion Energy has completed the installation of 78 monopile foundations and four offshore substation foundations for the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. The project aims to generate enough renewable energy to power up to 660,000 homes, with anticipated fuel savings of US$3 billion for customers in its first decade of operation.
Two Million Mangroves & A New Subscription: Boris Herrmann’s Malizia Mangrove Park Achieves Another Restoration Milestone
October 29 – Team Malizia
[Southeast Asia]
The Philippines’ Malizia Mangrove Park, established in 2020, has surpassed its goal of planting two million mangroves, marking a significant milestone in coastal ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation. The park now aims to plant five million mangroves and has introduced a subscription model to facilitate ongoing restoration efforts.
Intensive Fishing On The Seabed Increases The Release Of Carbon, Researchers Find
October 29 – Phys.org
[Europe, North Sea]
Intensive seabed fishing, particularly through bottom trawling, significantly disrupts marine sediments, leading to increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. A study revealed that such trawling in the North Sea releases approximately 1 million tons of CO₂ annually, with global estimates being set at around 30 million tons. This process, the study argues, not only diminishes the seabed’s capacity to store carbon but also contributes to atmospheric CO₂ levels.
The Port of Chancay (Puerto de Chancay) is a multipurpose, deep-water megaport located in the city of Chancay, Peru that opened in November 2024 following a five-year, $1.3 billion renovation as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In January 2019, COSCO Shipping Ports (COSCO)—China’s largest state-owned shipping company—penned a port construction agreement with Volcan Compañía Minera (Volcan)—a Peruvian mining company—in which COSCO acquired a 60% stake in Terminales Portuarios Chancay for the purpose of jointly building Chancay Terminal with Volcan “into an important gateway port in Peru.” Located approximately 78 km north of the Peruvian capital of Lima, the Chancay port is the largest Chinese investment in the Latin American port network and the first Chinese logistics hub for the Pacific Ocean in Latin America.
The first stage of extensive renovations gives the four berth port terminal a draft depth of 16-18 meters, an ability to accommodate containerships up to 14,000 teu (twenty-foot equivalent unit), and an annual handling capacity of 1 million teu. This expansion concluded with a successful trial period from November 2023 through May 2024 in preparation for official opening in November 2024. Future expansions, expecting to bring the investment total to at least $3.6 billion, could see the port expand to 15 berths and become capable of handling 24,000 teu capacity vessels. Most notably, ships that use the port will be able to considerably reduce their shipping time between Peru and China, decreasing the length to 23 days down from the 35-40 days typically required. In addition to its massive capacity, this drastic drop in shipping time and its expected long-term impact has long granted the Port of Chancay expansion nicknames such as “the gateway from South America to Asia,” a “game-changer for South America,” and a “wake-up call for all of us.”
The Port of Chancay and its construction has received occasional attention by the global observers and, while its benefits were regularly lauded, suspicions and concerns were also regularly discussed. For instance, there were occasional reports of pushback from locals being mistreated or endangered, shoddy workmanship, and social and environmental impacts being left unaddressed. The largest season of publicity came in March 2024 when the Peruvian government entered a dispute with COSCO over the port lease. In February 2021, Peru’s National Port Authority (APN) awarded COSCO exclusivity to operate all port services at Chancay Port, but three years later it requested its decision be annulled, citing an “administrative error” had been discovered and it lacks the power to grant exclusivity. In early June 2024, after months of discussions, the Peruvian government dropped the lawsuit after its congress passed an amendment to Peru’s national port system laws, giving the APN the legal authority to formally grant COSCO exclusive operator rights and resolving the aforementioned error. A separate legal dispute between COSCO and the Peruvian government recently began in November 2024 over a similar issue, though port operations have not been interrupted.
On November 14, while the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting was being held in Lima, the Port of Chancay held its operation ceremony, officially opening the new “maritime expressway” across the Asia-Pacific. In her celebratory announcement, Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra referred to it as “el nuevo camino Inca,” or “the new Inca road,” in reference to the revolutionary trade routes of the pre-Columbian era. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his own congratulatory remarks given by video link, described the port as a “key maritime centre for trade between South America and Asia” and stated that it would serve as the starting point of an “Inca Trail of the New Era.” On the same day, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Ursula Leon Chempen signed the Optimization Protocol of the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Peru and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, which optimizes seven existing provisions and adds five new provisions while reaffirming their strategic partnership.
Concurrently in November, a new legal conflict over the Port of Chancay arose between COSCO and Ositran—Peru’s supervisory body for public use transport infrastructure investments— regarding the supervision and scope of regulatory authority over the port. COSCO filed a protective action with the Peruvian Judiciary stating that Ositran lacks the authority to enforce certain regulations at the Port of Chancay, while Ositran maintains that they are obligated to oversee the port infrastructure to ensure competitiveness, transparency, and accessibility.
The Port of Chancay’s inauguration drew the attention of many with observers in media, academia and government around the world giving their opinions about the implications of the port. Presented debates on the port have covered a range of topics, including the implications of China’s presence in the region, the revival of the Maritime Silk Road, arguments on increased security concerns, the potentials of a strengthened bilateral China-Peru ties, and the array of benefits the new port brings to the global shipping industry, among other subjects.
The opening of the Port of Chancay arrived at a complex and sensitive period in history. Driven by a solid decade of tense security suspicions and pervasive caution worldwide, the port has drawn controversy and concern for years and it has all come to a head now that opening day has arrived. It is difficult to differentiate speculation from fact, especially when concerns are inflated by constant military conflicts ongoing in the background or questions are left only vaguely answered by the knowledgeable parties. The presence of two confusing lawsuits and the port’s connection to the Belt and Road Initiative—which has long ago become infamous in some circles—within the span of seven months do not soothe this tension.
Regardless of how it is discussed, the successful opening and operation of this port will lead to an evolution in China-Peru—as well as China-South American—relations. Even as China is in the midst of addressing a domestic economic downturn, as long as it is managed effectively, the Port of Chancay can be seen as a success for China’s long-term global economic stability. By most accounts, it is a tremendous boon to the global maritime economies of both China and South America that has the potential to bring many possibilities, especially should the remaining stages become complete. As COSCO CHANCAY’s vision statement—“To be recognized as the most important and efficient multipurpose port terminal in the South Pacific”—indicates, it wants to become the center of trade in the South Pacific, and it is in a position to succeed.
Public opinions on the port will likely remain divided, with some observers continuing to describe it as evidence of “a concerted Chinese strategy to extend its maritime trade and logistics footprint to all of the key maritime points on the globe.” For bulk speculation to cede in a timely manner, COSCO, along with the Peruvian government and other invested parties, will need to address the several issues that have come up during its construction—legal, environmental, geopolitical and social. Without—at the very least—open attempts to address and resolve these issues, the Port of Chancay is, more likely than not, destined to remain yet another point of contention and distrust between China and much of the rest of the world in the long-term; an outcome which favors no party.
This issue’s Spotlight was written by Jessica Martin, ICAS Research Associate & Chief Editor, ICAS Newsletters.
Government Releases & Other Press Statements
Analyses & Opinions
Other Research
Trump 2.0: Will U.S.-China Relations Prosper, Suffer or Muddle Through?
Thursday, December 12, 2024
9:00am – 4:20pm EST (GMT-5)
ICAS will hold its 2024 Annual Conference in-person at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, December 12, 2024!
Featuring a keynote by Minister Qiu Wenxing (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States), a luncheon speech by Stephen Orlins (National Committee on U.S.-China Relations), and four expert panels coverage a variety of subject matters, this year’s conference will assess the upcoming challenges and opportunities in U.S.-China relations amidst Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office.
A buffet lunch will be provided to registered guests. Media and other inquiries may be directed to jessicamartin@chinaus-icas.org.
How the West can navigate Sino-Russian cooperation in the Arctic
by Nong Hong
November 26, 2024
The China-Russia partnership has reached unprecedented levels, propelled by mutual strategic interests in Arctic governance and a shared objective of countering Western influence. This partnership is reflected in recent joint military activities, enhanced maritime cooperation and increasingly integrated Arctic policies…
…The Arctic is increasingly emerging as a focal point for international cooperation and competition. China and Russia, while strategically aligned, have distinct national priorities and ambitions to shape the regional order. For Western nations, this partnership calls for nuanced and coordinated strategies that balance engagement with preparedness.
As climate change accelerates resource accessibility and amplifies geopolitical interest in the Arctic, the stakes remain high for all stakeholders. By pursuing collaborative approaches and maintaining open channels of communication, the West can effectively navigate these challenges, promoting an inclusive framework for Arctic governance that considers the interests of all regional players, including China and Russia.
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