Polar Silk Road (initiative)
From Citizendium - Reading time: 2 min
China's Polar Silk Road is a plan to build a series of new polar shipping routes, part of their belt and road initiative.[1][2][3]
According to Reuters China's announcement of this initiative was prompted by the realization that global warming opened opportunities to exploit.[4]
According to an update China published in March, 2021, their 2021 five year plan includes concrete progress in the plan.[5]
Some sources assert that China's Polar Silk Road plan calls for China to build a new conventionally powered Polar Class icebreaker in addition to a nuclear powered icebreaker to be known as the Polar Silk Road.[6] China is also planning to build an ice-protected heavy-lift semi-submersible vessel. It would be used to carry and install drilling platforms for petroleum extraction.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Jane Nakano. China Launches the Polar Silk Road, Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2018-02-02. Retrieved on 2021-11-13. “Third, the ability to transit through Arctic waters may enhance the security environment for Chinese ships.”
- ↑ Full text: China's Arctic Policy, The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China, 2018-01-26. Retrieved on 2021-11-13. “The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "China's Arctic Policy" on Friday.”
- ↑ Liu Zhen. China to develop new heavy icebreaker for ‘Polar Silk Road’, South China Morning Post, 2021-11-13. Retrieved on 2021-11-13. “The heavy icebreaker is to be used for rescues along China’s “Polar Silk Road” trade route, part of its global infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative.”
- ↑ China unveils vision for 'Polar Silk Road' across Arctic, Reuters, 2018-01-26. Retrieved on 2021-11-13. “China on Friday outlined its ambitions to extend President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative to the Arctic by developing shipping lanes opened up by global warming.”
- ↑ China pledges to build 'Polar Silk Road' over 2021-2025, Reuters, 2021-03-04. Retrieved on 2021-11-13. “China will construct a “Polar Silk Road” and actively participate in the development of Arctic and Antarctic regions, it said in its new 2021-2025 “five-year plan” published on Friday.”
- ↑ Jeremy Greenwood. Opinion: The Polar Silk Road Will be Cleared With Chinese Icebreakers, Maritime Executive, 2021-11-22. Retrieved on 2021-11-23. “Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Transport has announced that they will develop a new heavy icebreaker and a new heavy-lift semi-submersible vessel capable of salvaging and rescuing vessels in the Arctic. This would supplement their two existing icebreakers and be in addition to reports of their development of a nuclear-powered icebreaker.”
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