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The memorandum signed in Murmansk opens for cooperation in law enforcement at sea, regional and federal media reports on Monday.
Under the new agreement, the two countries highlight joint efforts to combat terrorism, illegal migration, fighting smuggling of drugs and weapons, as well as stopping illegal fishing, Head of FSB Border Guard Service, Vladimir Kulishov, said to Vesti, the TV news by GTRK Murman.
He explained that Russia had to find new partners as the coast guard cooperation with the seven other Arctic nations is halted.
The Arctic Coast Guard Forum, currently chaired by Russia, had a plan to conduct a joint multilateral maritime exercise this year. With no participants from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Canada and USA, the FSB decided to invite China as an observer, Kulishov said. The exercise takes place out of Murmansk on Tuesday.
Next step will be for China to participate in future exercises.
In a statement recorded by the Defense Ministry’s TV channel Zvezda, the FSB commander added that joint exercises with the Chinese Coast Guard, stipulated in the memorandum, will take place in the near future.
“I’m sure that our cooperation will only be strengthened,” Kulishov said.
China has declared itself as a ‘near-Arctic state, and public statements have made it clear that the country intends to push for a greater role in Arctic governance.
Several voyages with scientists are conducted with the research icebreaker “Snow Dragon”, but for now there have been few signs of China trying to enter the Arctic with security hardware like navy vessels or coast guard personnel.
China’s Polar Research Institute’s maritime base in Shanghai has the Yellow River Arctic research station at Ny-Ålesund marked. Research icebreaker “Snow Dragon” in the background. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
In 2019, the Chief of Norway’s Intelligence Service said “we must be prepared for clearer Chinese presence in our neighbourhood.”
The statement came after the Chinese navy Commander visited the Russian Northern Fleet’s Headquarters in Severomorsk on Russia’s Navy Day the year before.
When Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, the two talked Arctic cooperation and highlighted energy, technology and infrastructure as key issues.
Also, cooperation on shipping along the Northern Sea Route was outlined at the meeting.
