A group of Chinese researchers visited a Russian scientific center in Barentsburg, located in the Arctic.
Rapidly Advancing New Technologies
This visit marks another step in the deepening cooperation between China and Russia in the region, raising concerns among NATO member states, according to WP.
China has been rapidly advancing in new technologies and is now looking to strengthen its partnership with Russia in the Arctic.
This collaboration includes joint scientific endeavors, with a high-ranking Chinese official urging for closer ties in the polar regions during his visit to a territory under NATO ally Norway’s jurisdiction.
The visit by Tiejun Ling, the Deputy Director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, came shortly after three Chinese icebreakers sailed through waters near the North Pole. This increased Chinese activity in the Arctic has been viewed as another sign of the country’s growing interest in this increasingly contested region.
Potential Military Applications
The Chinese delegation discussed potential collaborations in research projects at the Russian scientific center in Barentsburg, a site on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.
This follows a similar visit in July by Turkish scientists, who explored the possibility of establishing a new research center for BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and allies like Turkey, potentially located in the near-abandoned Russian settlement of Pyramiden.
These developments have raised alarms, especially given concerns that scientific research in the region could have military implications.
Chinese scientists operating on Svalbard might be conducting research with potential military applications, including weapon development. One of the key Chinese research institutes in the region is known for its ties to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
