President of Russia Putin proposed a grand vision - the joint development of the Arctic by Russia, the United States and China
On September 5, Russian President Putin stated at the plenary session of the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, "Regarding cooperation with American companies in Alaska, we have good proposals. There are resources there, and we have exploration technology and natural gas liquefaction technology. These technologies are more efficient than those of our American partners. They know this. At the level of economic actors, companies are ready to cooperate. It does not depend on us, but we are also ready. But if there is a political decision, we will also move in this direction. We can cooperate in the Arctic."
Putin added, "By the way, we have also discussed with our Chinese friends the possibility of working in some Russian Arctic areas in a trilateral format (for example, Russia-US-China), and all these possible options are now under discussion."
With the acceleration of global climate warming, the Arctic has also become a global hotspot, attracting worldwide attention.
This is because-
Firstly, the Arctic region contains about 30% of the world's undeveloped natural gas resources and a large amount of oil (estimated at 16 billion barrels), as well as rich rare earth mineral deposits. These are strategically attractive for any major power.
Secondly, strategic routes: Global climate warming has increased or advanced the navigability of the Arctic route. This route saves about 40% of the distance compared to the traditional route through the Suez Canal. Once opened, it will reshape the global shipping and trade patterns, having significant economic and strategic value.
Russia is vast, spanning both the eastern and western hemispheres, controlling the gateway to the Arctic region. Its strategic significance and military and economic value are self-evident. Successfully developing the Arctic could lead the country to another peak.
However, limited by its strength, Russia seeks to leverage the US and China, and jointly developing the Arctic is a convenient way. It is also a way to avoid a single power dominance and achieve a new balance through external support.
This idea is good, but whether cooperation can be realized still has a long way to go. The Trump administration's "America First" and transactional diplomacy, and China's "globalization" concept, as well as Russia's geopolitical strategy, finding consensus is no easy task. Putin's proposal for the joint development of the Arctic by the three countries is more like a strategic test among great powers, aiming to get out of the current difficulties through the development of the Arctic and achieve a new strategic balance.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842411710397440/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.