China slams ‘Cold War mentality’ after new EU Arctic plan
A Chinese foreign ministry official warned that a “Cold War mentality” would fuel geopolitical tensions and undermine Arctic stability, responding to the EU’s new strategy and calls to strengthen its defences in the region.
China has dismissed the European Union's recent push for increased Arctic surveillance and expanded icebreaker fleets as a display of a "Cold War mentality" that risks escalating tensions in the region. Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, stated during a news conference on Thursday that China's activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting peaceful, stable, and sustainable development, all in accordance with international law.
The EU unveiled its strategy on Tuesday, highlighting growing concerns over China's deepening partnership with Russia in the region. This comes as Europe, China, Russia, and the United States vie for influence in the polar region, regarded as a crucial trade route. Last summer, a Chinese shipowner initiated a weekly container service via the Arctic, raising concerns about vessels potentially contributing to the warming of polar ice.
Beijing and Moscow recently agreed to bolster cooperation in Arctic shipping, expanding the number of routes between their respective ports, as confirmed in a joint communique released after a meeting of their prime ministers. When asked about the new EU strategy and calls from European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to bolster the bloc's defenses in the Arctic, China vehemently denounced the EU's approach as a "Cold War mentality."
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasized that China's activities in the Arctic region are meant to foster peace, stability, and sustainable development, while reiterating that such Cold War tactics are detrimental to the region's peaceful and stable development.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
