Chinese Army Think-Tank Says Arctic Energy Would Help Economy

China has been active in the polar region of late, becoming one of the biggest mining investors in Greenland and agreeing a free trade deal with Iceland. Shorter shipping routes across the Arctic Ocean would save its companies time and money.

China already has mining links with Greenland and trade ties with Iceland. Greenland may have the world's biggest deposits of rare earths, used in smart phones and green technology.

"China sits in the northern hemisphere and has important strategic interests in the Arctic region, which relates to national economic development sustainability and national security," the think-tank wrote.

China has a right to a share of the Arctic's resources, be present in the region and to carry out scientific research there, it said.

China's growing involvement in Arctic affairs acts to prevent a minority of countries from dominating the region and protects the rights of non-Arctic countries, it said.

The Arctic Council groups the United States, Russia, Canada and Nordic nations. Observer status gives countries the right to listen in on meetings and propose and finance policies.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel)