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China’s 'Polar Silk Road' and Its Strategic Impact on Arctic Energy Geopolitics
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: International Relations
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I10-1716305
Abstract
Climate change is rapidly transforming the Arctic from a remote frozen area into a vital hub for global energy and shipping. It unlocks huge reserves, 13% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of natural gas. This study fills key research gaps by examining PSR's effects on non-Arctic energy buyers such as Japan, South Korea, and India, plus Arctic indigenous groups like the Inuit, Sàmi, and Yupik. It tackles three questions: How does PSR reshape energy politics and security? How do shared goals and clashes influence Arctic rules and partnerships? Drawing on realist views of power struggles and critical geopolitics on shaping stories, it reviews Arctic Council papers and compares China's Russia ties to Japan's team efforts, using secondary data. Findings highlight PSR's mixed impact: helpful joint work on safe shipping, but damage to native lands from drilling, spills, and deals skipping broad input. Overall, PSR strains groups like the Arctic Council, calling for stronger indigenous roles and smart teamwork to balance interests and ensure fair, lasting management.
Keywords
Polar Silk Road, Arctic Energy Geopolitics, Indigenous Autonomies, Non-Arctic Importers, Multipolar Governance
References
[1] Arctic Council. (2013). Kiruna Declaration. https://arctic-council.org/en/about-us/ (Observer status for China, Japan, South Korea, and others granted at the 2013 Ministerial Meeting).
[2] Gautier, D. L., et al. (2009). Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas in the Arctic. Science, 324(5931), 1175–1179. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1169467 (USGS Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal confirming ~13% of undiscovered global oil and ~30% of undiscovered natural gas north of the Arctic Circle).
[3] Humpert, M. (2025, October 21). Russia, China finalize deal to jointly develop Arctic shipping along the Northern Sea Route. gCaptain. https://gcaptain.com/russia-china-finalize-deal-to-jointly-develop-arctic-shipping-along-the-northern-sea-route/ (Details the October 2025 Harbin agreement on NSR cooperation between Rosatom and China's Ministry of Transport).
[4] Nakano, J., & Li, W. (2018, February 2). China launches the Polar Silk Road. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-launches-polar-silk-road (Early analysis of the Polar Silk Road as part of the BRI, linking it to energy and shipping goals).
[5] Novatek. (Various years). Press releases on Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 shareholdings. (CNPC holds 20% in Yamal LNG; additional Chinese stakes via Silk Road Fund at ~9.9%; Chinese entities acquired ~20% combined in Arctic LNG 2).
[6] State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China. (2018, January 26). China's Arctic Policy (White Paper). http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/white_paper/2018/01/26/content_281476026660336.htm (Official document introducing the "Polar Silk Road," "near-Arctic state" framing, respect for indigenous peoples, and sustainable development principles).
[7] U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). (2008). Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal: Estimates of Undiscovered Oil and Gas North of the Arctic Circle (Fact Sheet 2008-3049). https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3049/ (Primary source for the 13% oil / 30% natural gas estimates).
How to cite this paper
@article{1716305,
author = {Amulya Jomy},
title = {China’s 'Polar Silk Road' and Its Strategic Impact on Arctic Energy Geopolitics},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {10},
pages = {1536-1539},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1716305.pdf},
abstract = {Climate change is rapidly transforming the Arctic from a remote frozen area into a vital hub for global energy and shipping. It unlocks huge reserves, 13% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of natural gas. This study fills key research gaps by examining PSR's effects on non-Arctic energy buyers such as Japan, South Korea, and India, plus Arctic indigenous groups like the Inuit, Sàmi, and Yupik. It tackles three questions: How does PSR reshape energy politics and security? How do shared goals and clashes influence Arctic rules and partnerships? Drawing on realist views of power struggles and critical geopolitics on shaping stories, it reviews Arctic Council papers and compares China's Russia ties to Japan's team efforts, using secondary data. Findings highlight PSR's mixed impact: helpful joint work on safe shipping, but damage to native lands from drilling, spills, and deals skipping broad input. Overall, PSR strains groups like the Arctic Council, calling for stronger indigenous roles and smart teamwork to balance interests and ensure fair, lasting management.},
keywords = {Polar Silk Road, Arctic Energy Geopolitics, Indigenous Autonomies, Non-Arctic Importers, Multipolar Governance},
month = {April},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I10-1716305}
}