China slams ‘Cold War mentality’ after new EU plan for the Arctic

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 23, 2026

China condemned the European Union's newly announced plan to boost Arctic surveillance and icebreaker capacities, accusing it of promoting a "Cold War mentality." The EU's initiative aims to counterbalance China’s growing strategic partnership with Russia in the Arctic, where expanding shipping routes and emerging trade opportunities are heightening geopolitical competition.

China criticized what it describes as a "Cold War mentality" in response to a new European Union plan aimed at enhancing surveillance and expanding icebreaker fleets in the Arctic region. The EU’s initiative, announced on Tuesday, expresses concerns over Beijing’s increasing strategic involvement in the area, particularly its deepening cooperation with Russia.

The Arctic has become a focal point for several major powers, including the EU, China, Russia, and the United States, all seeking to expand their influence over the region's emerging trade routes. This summer, a Chinese shipping company launched a weekly container service along an expedited Arctic corridor to Europe, intensifying attention on navigation through polar waters.

Following recent discussions between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Beijing and Moscow issued a joint statement confirming plans to broaden their collaboration on Arctic shipping. This includes an increase in shipping routes linking Russian and Chinese ports.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the EU’s new strategy and its calls for stronger Arctic defenses during a routine press briefing. While she did not specify the EU directly, Mao cautioned against efforts that might fuel geopolitical tensions, emphasizing that China’s activities in the Arctic are intended to support peaceful, stable, and sustainable development in line with international law.

She stated that framing the Arctic issue through the lens of rival blocs or escalating antagonisms does not contribute to regional stability. The EU strategy, voiced strongly by its foreign policy chief Katja Kallas, underscores the bloc’s desire to counterbalance what it perceives as expanding Chinese ambitions in partnership with Russia, raising broader concerns about security dynamics in the high north.

The interaction highlights a growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic, a region whose accessibility has increased due to climate change and which holds potential for significant economic and strategic importance. With multiple actors asserting interests there, the tension between cooperative development and strategic rivalry remains a central challenge.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.