Post by : Saif Rahman

China has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning it against using other nations to justify its ambitions in Greenland amid escalating Arctic tensions. This comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump reiterating his desire for the U.S. to assert control over Greenland, claiming it is crucial to prevent Chinese or Russian influence.

During a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China's actions in the Arctic are aligned with international law, emphasizing a commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development. She urged the U.S. not to use China or any other foreign powers as justification for its interests.

Greenland, a self-governing region under Danish jurisdiction, is seen strategically important due to its Arctic location. Trump has consistently maintained that Greenland's importance to U.S. security necessitates control, suggesting potential military action if warranted, although he prefers negotiated solutions.

This rhetoric has raised alarms in Denmark and Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that a U.S. intervention could destabilize NATO unity. Greenlandic leaders expressed that their future should be determined autonomously, calling for respect from the U.S. and a cessation of what they perceive as disdain towards their local governance.

Over the weekend, Trump reiterated his position on the necessity for the U.S. to “take Greenland” or else risk its influence from other global powers, adding to the strain in relations between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

Simultaneously, China's stakes in the Arctic have been on the rise, with Beijing labeling itself a “near-Arctic state” as early as 2018 and unveiling plans for a “Polar Silk Road” under its Belt and Road Initiative, which has sparked concerns in both the U.S. and Europe about China’s long-term aspirations for the region.

Responding to U.S. assertions tying Greenland’s fate to blocking China, Mao Ning emphasized that all nations have equal rights to Arctic operations as dictated by international law, underlining that Arctic matters concern the entire globe, not just a single entity.

Danish and Greenlandic officials are slated to visit Washington this week for talks on this issue, while U.S. lawmakers plan their own visits to Denmark. The discourse surrounding Greenland has emerged as a significant gauge of diplomacy and respect for the autonomy of smaller nations within the international community.

#Global News