At a press briefing on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Chinese mainland's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, dismissed recent claims that portray the Chinese mainland as a security risk in Greenland. He warned against using unfounded allegations as a pretext for narrow strategic gains.
The comments follow remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 21, after talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who reportedly outlined 'the framework of a future deal' covering Greenland and the broader Arctic region.
A NATO spokesperson said negotiations between Denmark, residents of Greenland and the United States will move forward with the aim of ensuring that Russia and other actors never gain an economic or military foothold on the island.
Responding to these developments, Guo argued that the 'so-called China threat is baseless.' He added that the Chinese mainland always believes that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld when handling relations between countries, calling for dialogue based on mutual respect and international law.
Greenland's strategic position—overlooking emerging Arctic shipping routes and untapped resources—has drawn attention from global powers in recent years. Experts say a rules-based approach, grounded in the UN Charter, is essential to balance exploration, environmental care and the interests of local communities.
As Arctic geopolitics intensifies, experts and residents alike will be watching whether calls for multilateral cooperation can reshape discussions about Greenland's future. A transparent, inclusive dialogue may determine how the region navigates both opportunity and responsibility.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
