Putin and China's Xi Jinping plot plan to build trade route through ice in terrifying move

Russia and China have been strategically advancing their maritime connections by focusing on the Arctic route, aiming to establish a robust "ice silk road" that enhances their container shipping networks through Arctic waters.

For years, Russia has worked to maintain the Northeast Passage open during summer months, and now it has found a significant partner in China to bolster these efforts, particularly amidst climate change challenges.

China's interest in the Arctic route was highlighted when the Tianjin Coastal Radio Station, responsible for northern China's shipping forecasts, included it in their navigation routes. Key straits such as the Bering, Dmitry, Laptev, Velikitsky, and Kara are essential for the efficient operation of the Northern Sea Route, the shortest maritime route linking Eurasia's western regions with the Asia Pacific.

Moscow is banking on increased investments in this route to significantly shorten travel times between Europe and Far Eastern ports compared to the traditional Suez Canal routes.

 Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, welcomed this development, emphasizing its potential to strengthen bilateral trade ties already burgeoning amid international sanctions on Russia since the Ukraine invasion of 2022.

Ambassador Zhang stated, "China has consistently advocated for the peaceful development of the Arctic and the establishment of Arctic shipping routes." He noted the ongoing attention from Chinese and Russian leaders over the past decade towards Arctic shipping route development, with governmental mechanisms now in place to foster Arctic cooperation.

He further elaborated, "The collaboration in sea-rail intermodal transport and shipbuilding between Russia and China will not only boost bilateral trade, investment, and technological innovation but also inject fresh impetus into the 'Ice Silk Road' initiative."

Efforts to fortify access to the Arctic route were evident during President Putin's state visit to China in May, where discussions led to the establishment of a new Russian-China sub-commission for the Northern Sea Route under Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear agency.

Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, highlighted their joint goal to swiftly develop a comprehensive program to expand Chinese transit via the Northern Sea Route. He projected that Chinese transit volumes could reach 50 million tonnes within the next six years, underscoring Moscow's commitment to collaborating with Beijing on Arctic vessel construction and the establishment of new ports and logistical centers along the route.

In a bid to further enhance trade connectivity, Russia and China recently launched the Arctic Express No.1, a sea-rail service linking Moscow with Arkhangelsk, Russia's primary port in the northwest. 

This 13,000-kilometer service promises to be a week faster than existing Northern Sea Route infrastructure, offering expedited transportation of goods into China via the Arctic Ocean.