US pattern of lawless behavior will inform how it treats Arctic

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and investors may want to say "Thank You" to United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for declaring his country welcomes Chinese investment in the Arctic region. Although that welcome was conditional - reserved for investments that are "transparent", and "reflect economic interests, not national security interests", as he told the Arctic Council meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland.

At least he showed some deference to the jurisprudential fact that no existing international convention applicable to the Arctic supports preventing any country from benefiting from development of the Arctic.

Some parts of the Arctic Ocean form part of the high seas and international seabed area. This means non-Arctic nations enjoy extensive rights in scientific research, navigation, overflight, fishing, laying of submarine cables and pipelines as well as resource exploration and exploitation in these areas.