The statement has begun to gain practical meaning after it stepped up its activity in the region, working with Russia on coast guard patrols, exploring resource and technology projects and has been testing a shortcut to shipping that could cut thousands of kilometres from journeys between Asia and Europe.
China is about 1,300 kilometres from the Arctic Circle but it insists that it is a “near-Arctic state”.
Apart from logistics, there is also a political price to pay, as much of the route passes along Russia’s northern coast, meaning companies using it have to pay Moscow access fees. That could make the route particularly difficult for Western companies amid sanctions imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine. Although the Northern Sea Route could become more accessible because of climate change, the remote route carries risk which makes insurance costs higher and ultimately makes the route unprofitable, according to shipping experts cited in the report.
Sea Legend, a Chinese shipping company, plans to operate seven more Arctic trips apart from the Dubai Tower this season, according to a report by The New York Times .
