On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry entered the conversation regarding President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland. The ministry criticized the United States for “using other countries as a pretext to pursue its own selfish interests.”
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, responded to a question about Trump’s claim that if the U.S. doesn’t acquire Greenland, it would fall under the influence of “Russia or China.”
Mao said, “The Arctic encompasses the collective interests of the international community. China’s actions in the Arctic aim to foster peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region, aligning with international law.”
“It’s essential to fully respect each country’s rights to operate in the Arctic legally. The U.S. shouldn’t use other nations as a cover for its own interests.”
Later, a reporter from Turkey’s Anadolu news agency asked Mao how China would respond if the U.S. took control of Greenland and if there were Chinese “interests” to defend.
Mao replied, “China believes that state relations should adhere to the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter,” which seemed somewhat insincere given China’s own actions in various territorial disputes.
While emphasizing respect for Arctic activities, it’s noted that China has been assertively expanding its Arctic interests since 2018. This expansion includes investments in rare earth mines in Greenland through initiatives like the “Polar Silk Road.”
One of Trump’s worries about Greenland is that its relationship with Denmark currently provides Copenhagen with control over foreign investments. If Greenland were to gain full independence, it might face fewer barriers to Chinese involvement.
In 2018, a state-owned enterprise, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), attempted to bid for upgrading two airports in Greenland but withdrew the bid in 2019 due to pressure from the U.S. and Denmark.
Additionally, Shenghe Resources, another Chinese state entity, acquired a stake in a mining project in southern Greenland in 2016, though the project faced delays after Greenland’s government banned uranium mining in 2021.
“Considering Beijing’s business interests on the island, from resource extraction to securing the Northern Sea Route, China will firmly oppose any U.S. move to gain control over Greenland,” remarked Xinbo Wu from Fudan University in Shanghai.
