Współpraca czy rywalizacja: Rosja i Chiny w Arktyce
Cooperation or Competition: Russia and China in the Arctic

Summary/Abstract: The paper aims to set out overall approach of Russia and China to the Arctic region, located around the North Pole. It considers the national policy and strategy statements as well as the economic and military instruments used by these two powers. The area holds large quantities of minerals, including natural gas and crude oil. If global continues to melt sea ice across the Arctic, shipping lanes, particularly the Northern Sea Route, may open up and became a viable alternative to the traditional shipping routes through the Suez Canal. The route for transporting cargoes between the East Asia and Europe could reduce sailing distances and operating costs by roughly 40 percent, compare to them. Russia and China are seeking control of natural resources and transport routes. On the one hand Russia declaratively encourages China to participate in Arctic energy and infrastructure projects. On the other „Polar Silk Route” proposed by China as well as its promotion of freedom of circulation in the Arctic China do not correspond with Russian vision that treats waters of the Northeast Passage as its „internal waters”.

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