China defends Arctic research missions(2)

Ruan Zongze, a research fellow with China Institute of International Studies, told Xinhua Tuesday that the Arctic sea route, if opened, will influence many countries, and as a global service, it will never be dominated by a single country.

"For the route, what China is doing is more following the trend and keeping attention, and also playing an appropriate role," Ruan said.

"Strategic stronghold"

Huang Nubo, a Chinese private business owner, once planned to buy a piece of land in Iceland for investment purpose, a move that grabbed extensive media attention in November 2011.

The failed bid, however, was cited as a Chinese government attempt to "build a strategic stronghold" in the Arctic by the Sankei Shimbun last week.

Smashing the allegation as a "ridiculous hoax", Huang also expressed his sadness over the "picky" manner of the Western world toward Chinese enterprises.

"With the world being caught by surging trade protectionism and an increasingly weakened Western economy, the developed countries increasingly tend to embrace a post-cold war mindset about Chinese companies," Huang said.

It is reasonable for China to beef up its relations including in trade and investment with North European countries, which have long lagged behind the development of its ties with other parts of Europe, according to international studies analysts.

Ruan said it is almost "paranoia" to compare China's normal commercial investments in the Arctic to efforts to maintain a strategic control there.

"As a country outside the Arctic circle, China has no special interests in the Arctic," he said.