China, Russia to co-build 'Ice Silk Road'

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a written interview ahead of paying a state visit to Russia from July 3 to 4 that China welcomes and is willing to participate in development of the Primorye international transport corridor proposed by Russia.

Xi also expressed his hope that the two countries can make joint efforts to develop and utilize maritime passageways, particularly the Northern Sea Route, so as to foster an "Ice Silk Road."

Li Zhenfu, a professor at Dalian Maritime University, said this shows the highest level of consensus between the two countries on co-building the Arctic route.

In June, China issued an official document titled "Vision for Maritime Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative," envisioning for the first time a blue economic passage leading up to Europe via the Arctic Ocean.

The Arctic routes include two major routes: the Northeast Passage(also called the Northern Sea Route by Russia) and the Northwest Passage.

The Northeast Passage, with most of its route hugging Russia's northern coast, is the shortest course for many regions in China. Sailing distance between ports in northern China and Western Europe, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea is 25 to 55 percent shorter than the traditional shipping routes.

The Arctic route not only means a shortcut to Europe for Chinese companies, but opportunities for cooperation with countries along the route.

It is possible that ports in northern China, such as Dalian and Tianjin, will become important points along this Arctic route in the future, according to Li.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a joint communiqué at the 20th China-Russia Prime Ministers' Regular Meeting in December 2015. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on development and utilization of the Northern Sea Route and carry out research on shipping along the Arctic routes.