Streit um die Arktis

[Schneemann]

Recht interessante Stimmen aus Asien zum Thema Arktis - einig scheinen sich alle zu sein, dass die Wichtigkeit zunimmt. Und China möchte, dass alles friedlich bleibt, räumt aber ein, dass die Arktis auch eine "Kreuzung" im "militärischen Bereich" sei. Nachtigal, höre ich dir trapsen?

Beijing Wants Arctic to Remain Peaceful, Chinese Diplomat Says

China’s top diplomat overseeing Arctic affairs recently stressed that Beijing wants the region to remain peaceful and stable, but recognizes competition – primarily economic for now – is real on several levels.

Speaking at an online Wilson Center forum on Monday, Gao Feng said, “I think we can continue the multilateral … situation in the Arctic” in dealing with questions of scientific research. He mentioned climate change, fisheries regulation, protection of indigenous peoples’ rights and infrastructure development ranging from building roads and bridges to establishing internet connectivity. Panelists from Japan, Suzuka Mitsuji, and South Korea, Lin Hoomin agreed with Gao that human activity is growing gradually and the northern shipping route, close to Russia is increasingly open for trade as polar ice melts. All three stressed not only their nation’s maritime interests, but also their need for reliable energy sources and that warmer temperatures in the Far North allow more extensive exploration for minerals and energy sources.

“The Arctic is at a crossroads,” including militarily, Gao said. Arctic nations, like Russia, which has the largest territory in the Arctic, view the region one way – as an economic engine to be secured – but “observers” to the Arctic Council, like China, Japan and South Korea view it in other ways – as a global commons gateway to European markets and energy. [...] Suzuka said Japan, as a global economic trader, “is very interested in Arctic polar routes” for trade and how sea ice conditions are changing, raising the possibility that more seasonal crossings may be possible. Without mentioning Russia claims on Arctic waters, he said several times during the forum that Tokyo looks at Arctic waters as being “free and open,” covered by the U.N.’s Law of the Sea Treaty.

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/11/beijing...lomat-says

Schneemann.