Newsletter: - You would think China had more than enough with its trade war with Donald Trump and the USA. But nope!
Marie-Claude Williamson and Nicole Williamson at work, geological fly camps along the Southern lobe of the Natkusiak Formation, July 2010. (Photo: Private)
Dear Reader! You would think China had more than enough with its trade war with Donald Trump and the USA. But nope; the Arctic is also included in the Chinese plan. The superpower is currently objecting to Norwegian Svalbard policy.
- Surprising, says law professor Geir Ulfstein Kinas. (Norwegian only.) – China has never before engaged in politics in Svalbard in this way, he adds in an interview with High North News.
The Svalbard Treaty
The background for China’s unexpected reaction is a re-organisation of ongoing research in the former mining town of Ny Ålesund. (Norwegian only.) Following the King's Bay accident in 1962, where 21 miners died, Ny Ålesund has gradually been transformed into one of the primary research stations in the Arctic.
Norwegian authorities recently placed a firmer grip on what kind of research that may be conducted by other nations in Ny Ålesund. The Chinese are now objecting this move in very strong terms.
In a recent and exclusive interview with High North News, Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide dismissed the notion of existing conflicts of the Svalbard Treaty, which is soon celebrating its 100th anniversary.
- Some claim to disagree, however, that does not mean that there is a disagreement. I do not find that problematic, said the Foreign Minister.
Kazakhstan
China is not the only country that wants to play an active part in the Arctic. This week, we could also tell you the story of how Kazakhstan has started looking to the north. The country is planning to upgrade the river system ending up in the Russian port of Sabetta, and through that gain access to the Northern Sea Route. The Russian and Kazakh presidents are to meet this fall to discuss the plans.
Just the other day, I gave a talk about Greenland in Tromsø. I a HNN analysis, we provide you with insights into the complicated relationship between the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland. (Danish only.) Strong force son Greenland want independence, and the Danish government is navigating complicated waters.
Reinforcing High North News
Big things are happening at High North News too. This week, two new colleagues joined the team. Siri Gulliksen Tømmerbakke has hit the ground running in her position as News Editor, coming from a post as journalist in regional daily Avisa Nordland. Amund Trellevik is our new journalist, and he comes from national broadcaster NRK’s Finnmark office.
In this manner, we strengthen our journalism about life in the Arctic and the High North.
And last, but not least:
The best of greetings to all women on this day, and we wish all our readers a happy weekend!
Arne O. Holm
Editor-in-Chief
We also recommend the following reads this week:
Mother and daughter together at the top of the world
European Union adopts ban on fishing in the Arctic