How China wants to create ‘Polar Silk Road’ through Arctic

Financial Times: The proposed bull-nosed, nuclear-powered vessel, unveiled as a conceptual design in December, is intended to provide a prototype for Beijing’s emerging polar fleet. 

China’s state-run 708 Research Institute, which designed the vessel, says it will be a “multirole” cargo and polar tourism ship.

While China describes its interests in the region in terms of trade and research, few analysts doubt the dual civilian-military intent of Beijing’s Arctic programme, from establishing research bases to oil and gas co-operation and joint military patrols with Russia near Alaska…