China Urges U.S. Not to Use Third Countries as a Pretext to Advance Greenland Interests

China on Monday issued a stern rebuke to the United States over recent remarks concerning Greenland, urging Washington to refrain from using other nations as a pretext to advance its own geopolitical ambitions. The warning from Beijing came in response to renewed statements by former President Donald Trump regarding the strategic Arctic territory.

At a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the United States was “making excuses” over Greenland, directly addressing Trump’s assertion that China or Russia could seize control of the island unless Washington took action. “The United States should respect international norms and the sovereignty of other countries, rather than using them as pawns in its pursuit of strategic interests,” Mao emphasized.

Since returning to the political spotlight, Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of purchasing or asserting control over Greenland, framing the issue as critical to U.S. national security and global competition. These comments have ignited diplomatic tensions and drawn sharp criticism from multiple capitals.

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, holds significant strategic value due to its location in the rapidly changing Arctic region. It is endowed with abundant natural resources, including rare earth minerals—elements crucial for advanced technology and renewable energy systems. As polar ice recedes, opening new maritime routes and access to untapped reserves, the Arctic has become an arena of intensified great-power competition involving the United States, Russia, and China.

International analysts note that the Arctic’s growing accessibility is reshaping global trade and resource geopolitics, prompting heightened interest from major powers. In this context, Greenland has emerged as a focal point in broader strategic rivalries.

Denmark and several European allies have firmly rejected Trump’s suggestions, underscoring that Greenland is not for sale and that any decision regarding its future rests solely with its people. The government of Greenland has also consistently affirmed its right to self-determination.

China’s remarks reflect its broader diplomatic stance opposing what it views as unilateral and coercive practices in international affairs. By calling on the U.S. to avoid using other countries as strategic leverage, Beijing positions itself as a defender of sovereignty and multilateral norms—even as it continues to expand its own polar research and economic engagement in the Arctic region.

The exchange underscores the increasing geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Arctic, where climate-driven changes are accelerating both economic opportunities and international tensions.

 

 

Our Pashto-Dari Website

  Donate Here