【By Observer News Network, Zhang Jingjuan】From the Arctic National Strategy issued during the Obama administration, to the establishment of an Arctic Coordinator during Trump's first term, and then to the Biden administration's plan to replace the coordinator with an Ambassador for the Arctic, the United States has continuously increased its attention to the military strategic value of the Arctic. However, this "strategic escalation" process has stalled — since January this year, when the first U.S. Arctic Ambassador, Michael Sfraga, left his post, the key position has remained vacant until now.

According to Hong Kong-based English media South China Morning Post, on December 12th, Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic U.S. House Representative from Illinois and a senior member of the so-called U.S.-China Strategic Competition Special Committee, has recently urged Secretary of State Rubio to fill this vacancy as soon as possible.

In a letter dated the 10th, he claimed, "China is currently significantly expanding its military, economic, and scientific presence in the Arctic region. This long-term vacancy weakens our representation in the Arctic Council and also damages our status in one of the most strategically significant regions in the world." He asserted that leaving the position vacant would allow China to shape regional rules according to its own interests.

The congressman also listed a series of so-called "evidence of Chinese threats," accusing China of having "more hostile actions" over the past year, claiming that "a research vessel was active in the U.S. Arctic waters this summer," and asserting that China's infrastructure development plans in the Arctic, such as "submarine fiber-optic cables," pose "dual-use risks."

Raja Krishnamoorthi screenshot

However, this is not the case. In July this year, China's first self-built polar scientific research icebreaker, the "Xue Long 2" (Snow Dragon 2), which is the world's first ship equipped with bow and stern icebreaking technology, was normally carrying out scientific research tasks. Western countries repeatedly "tracked" it and even "accused the victim," making false accusations.

Submarine fiber-optic cables are fundamental components of global digital infrastructure. Yet the United States frequently uses this issue to make a big deal, deliberately smearing Chinese companies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly responded, pointing out that the statements by U.S. officials have no factual basis and are entirely malicious defamation. China firmly opposes the U.S. practice of generalizing national security concepts and attacking Chinese companies.

According to reports, Krishnamoorthi also criticized the current U.S. government's stance on Arctic policy in the letter, claiming that its measures so far have only been "alienating U.S. allies and threatening to annex Greenland."

Although the letter was addressed to Rubio, the selection of the U.S. Arctic Ambassador ultimately needs to be determined by the President of the United States.

The "Tansuo 3" (Exploration 3), China's independently designed and built first manned deep-sea submersible support ship with ice-breaking capabilities. IC photo

The Arctic mainly consists of the frozen North Atlantic Ocean and a surrounding belt of permafrost. In recent years, the region's strategic, economic, scientific, environmental, shipping, and resource values have continued to emerge, becoming a focal point of global attention.

As a near-Arctic country geographically, China's activities in the Arctic have always followed the principles of international law and scientific cooperation. This year, China successfully pioneered a new "ship-submersion collaboration" mobile ice diving model in dense ice areas, making China the only country in the world conducting continuous manned deep-sea dives in the dense sea ice area of the Arctic.

Therefore, the Chinese scientific expedition team has collected a batch of precious water, sediment, rock, and biological samples, obtaining a large amount of observational data, which will provide important scientific support for in-depth research on the rapid climate change in the Arctic.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously clearly stated that China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs, and has always participated in Arctic affairs based on the basic principles of respect, cooperation, win-win, and sustainability, strengthening cooperation with all parties to maintain peace and stability in the Arctic and promote sustainable development of the Arctic.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7582794151066976774/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.