Authored by Dorothy Li via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
The House China panel has raised concerns about Chinese research activities in the Arctic that have dual civilian and military applications. They have called on the State Department and the Pentagon to take stronger action to address these issues, citing potential security risks to the United States and its NATO allies.
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) expressed these concerns in a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They highlighted China’s efforts to expand research activities in the Arctic, emphasizing the importance of working with allies to protect national security interests.
The lawmakers pointed out that China’s access to the Arctic enables the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to enhance its operational capabilities and further its global ambitions. They are particularly interested in understanding the threats posed by Chinese research in areas such as missile defense, submarine detection, and satellite tracking.
China’s collaboration with Russia to increase military and coast guard presence in the Arctic has raised alarms. Despite being geographically distant from the region, China has declared itself a “near-Arctic” state and is actively involved in Arctic initiatives such as the Polar Silk Road.
China’s Research Stations in NATO Allies
The lawmakers highlighted China’s research activities in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago and Iceland. They raised concerns about the potential military applications of Chinese research projects in these locations.
In Svalbard, China operates the Arctic Yellow River Station, where projects with military significance are being conducted. Similarly, in Iceland, the China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory (CIAO) has been collecting data that could enhance China’s military surveillance capabilities.
The letter urged the U.S. government to support Iceland in conducting a national security review of Chinese research activities and to prevent any military-related research on Icelandic territory.
The State Department emphasized concerns about China’s growing presence in the Arctic and called on China to uphold international standards and legal obligations. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.
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