In recent years, several academic and media articles predicted an increased tension in the Arctic fueled by a reported race to maritime spaces and natural resources. In this race, China would try to set itself as a major player. Several analysts place the emphasis on ambitious Chinese projects in the region, and on their destabilizing potential effect. In fact, if indeed the Chinese government seems to be articulating an Arctic policy, nothing warrants the idea that China is on the verge of contesting Arctic countries’ claims or is about to try and seize Arctic resources.