The Arctic Debrief: Canada in discussions with Nordic allies to form Arctic security group

In this edition:

• Canada in discussions with Nordic allies to form Arctic security group
• Chinese Coast Guard conducts first Arctic exercise
• Chinese and Russian diplomats meet to discuss Arctic development

Latest Developments

Canada in discussions with Nordic allies to form Arctic security group

Canada hosted a meeting with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to discuss a variety of issues related to the high north, including the possibility of forming a Arctic security group.

Arctic NATO allies have increased their defense spending, specifically looking to strengthen their ability to defend and patrol their northern territories, among rising tensions over growing ties between Russia and China.

Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said the purpose of the group would be to increase discussions on Arctic defense matters and to improve cooperation in the region.

“For a long time Canada, we thought we were protected by our geography. But now we need to reckon that we are a country facing Russia and because of climate change, more countries are interested in the Arctic, including China,” she said in an interview with Bloomberg News. “We need to be addressing this new reality.”

Chinese Coast Guard conducts first Arctic patrol

The Chinese Coast Guard has entered the Arctic for the first as it conducts a joint patrol with the Russian Border Guard. This was confirmed by a public statement from the CCG and the United States Coast Guard.

A patrolling US Coast Guard HC-130J Super Hercules identified four ships, two Russian and two Chinese, navigating the Bering Sea about 700 KM southwest of St Lawrence Island.

China and Russia have been increasing joint operations in the Arctic including a joint aerial patrol which led the US and Canada to scramble jets to escort Russian and Chinese strategic bombers out of the area. In response to the increase in activity, the US and Canada have been looking at increasing Arctic surveillance and defense capabilities.

Chinese and Russian diplomats meet to discuss Arctic development

A meeting between top Russian and Chinese diplomats was held in Beijing to discuss increased economic cooperation in the Arctic. The meeting resulted in the two nations singing a Memorandum of Understanding on creating closer ties in the region.

"For both sides, the Arctic is a high priority in development of national interests," reads a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published after the meeting. "Bilateral cooperation on these and other issues on the Arctic agenda will continue to grow stronger."

The meeting focused on increasing cooperation in areas such as Arctic energy, investments, research, transportation, and the Northern Sea Route. The signed document emphasized the need to prioritize the Northern Sea Route as an international shipping route. The document also highlighted the need to create Polar vessels capable of traversing the icy seas.