China has issued a formal statement cautioning the United States against employing other countries as “pretexts” to advance its strategic interests in Greenland, while simultaneously affirming that Beijing’s Arctic activities strictly comply with international law. The diplomatic declaration came during a regular press briefing at China’s Foreign Ministry in response to growing tensions surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
The geopolitical landscape has intensified significantly this month as Washington pushes forward with its Arctic ambitions, even considering military options to secure control over the vast island. This aggressive posture has triggered strong reactions from both Danish and Greenlandic leadership. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark warning that any American acquisition attempt could potentially spell the end of NATO itself.
In a powerful show of unity, Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined forces with leaders from four additional parliamentary parties to release a joint statement asserting that Greenland’s future must be determined exclusively by its own people. The declaration explicitly called for an end to what they characterized as “U.S. contempt for our nation.”
President Trump reiterated his position aboard Air Force One on Sunday, maintaining that the United States “must take” Greenland to prevent Russian or Chinese acquisition, preferring a negotiated agreement while suggesting it would happen “one way or another.”
China, which has positioned itself as a “near-Arctic state” since 2018 to expand its regional influence, has announced ambitious plans for a “Polar Silk Road” as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that China’s Arctic activities focus exclusively on promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in accordance with international law. While not explicitly mentioning Greenland, Mao stressed that the Arctic region holds significance for the entire international community and that all nations’ rights to operate in the area should be respected.
The diplomatic developments set the stage for crucial talks this week between Danish and Greenlandic representatives and U.S. officials in Washington, complemented by planned visits of American senators to Denmark.