China’s 'Polar Silk Road' and Its Strategic Impact on Arctic Energy Geopolitics

Climate change is rapidly transforming the Arctic from a remote frozen area into a vital hub for global energy and shipping. It unlocks huge reserves, 13% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of natural gas. This study fills key research gaps by examining PSR's effects on non-Arctic energy buyers such as Japan, South Korea, and India, plus Arctic indigenous groups like the Inuit, Sàmi, and Yupik. It tackles three questions: How does PSR reshape energy politics and security? How do shared goals and clashes influence Arctic rules and partnerships? Drawing on realist views of power struggles and critical geopolitics on shaping stories, it reviews Arctic Council papers and compares China's Russia ties to Japan's team efforts, using secondary data. Findings highlight PSR's mixed impact: helpful joint work on safe shipping, but damage to native lands from drilling, spills, and deals skipping broad input. Overall, PSR strains groups like the Arctic Council, calling for stronger indigenous roles and smart teamwork to balance interests and ensure fair, lasting management.