One of Three Roads: The Role of the Northern Sea Route in Evolving Sino-Russian Strategic Relations

Abstract:

Since Chinese President Xi Jinping assumed power, Sino- Russian economic relations have greatly improved, with a concentration on building trade links which are less dependent on the West. During 2014, the ‘pivot to Asia’ policies under Russian President Vladimir Putin were accelerated, while China proposed the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ in Eurasia and the ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ in the Indian Ocean.

Both routes may serve to further unite Chinese and Russian economic and strategic interests. Yet a third road, namely the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the Arctic will also factor significantly into the deepening economic ties between Beijing and Moscow as this maritime link between Asia and Europe becomes more frequently used. The NSR should be studied as the ‘third road’, which may link Chinese trade with Europe but also further improve Sino-Russian economic relations.