St. Petersburg (TDI): China and Russia convened the inaugural meeting of a subcommittee on Arctic shipping routes cooperation, marking a significant step in their bilateral efforts to develop the strategic region.
The meeting, held on Monday in St. Petersburg, was attended by China’s Minister of Transport Liu Wei and his Russian counterpart Alexey Likhachev, who also serves as the Director General of Rosatom.
The subcommittee operates under the framework of regular meetings between the heads of government of both nations, according to a statement from Chinese’s Ministry of Transport.
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Liu described the subcommittee as a vital mechanism for fostering collaboration and development in Arctic shipping routes.
He emphasized its potential to enhance the safety, competitiveness, and progress in polar shipbuilding, aligning with the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries.
The talks resulted in a series of agreements on the subcommittee’s structure, operational mechanisms, and cooperation objectives.
China Committed to Work Closely with Russia
“China is committed to working closely with Russia to ensure Arctic navigation safety and further the development of Arctic shipping,” Liu said.
Highlighting the historic nature of the initiative, Likhachev noted that its launch coincides with the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations.
He expressed Rosatom’s readiness to strengthen ties in areas such as Arctic navigation, safety, and polar shipbuilding technologies.
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The meeting featured reports from three working groups focusing on shipping development, navigation safety, and polar ship technology. Key regulations were approved, and minutes were signed, outlining critical tasks for 2025.
This collaboration underscores Chinese and Russia’s shared ambition to leverage Arctic routes for economic and geopolitical gains, reflecting their deepening partnership in polar affairs.
