北極區域對於俄羅斯具有極為重要的戰略地位，這使得俄羅斯對於北極主權的競逐較其他國家更為強烈，但此一立場卻威脅日益重視海洋權利的中國。北極的油氣等自然資源，也成為俄、中潛在矛盾，俄羅斯對北極資源的爭奪，可能威脅中國重要利益。俄羅斯對北方航線的控制與獨占，對於極為依賴國際貿易的中國也形成威脅。除此之外，北極重要的全球軍事戰略價值，勢將吸引走向遠海防衛的中國海軍，這也為俄、中在北極的軍事博弈埋下導火線。

The Arctic holds critical strategic significance for Russia, a fact clearly seen with its tendency to expend great efforts in the multinational competition over Arctic sovereignty. However, Russia's aggressive stance on the Arctic is gradually threatening China increasingly concerned with its own maritime rights. In particular, potential Sino-Russian conflicts could arise over oil and gas resources in the Arctic, with Russia's domination over such resources perceivable as a threat to China's important national interests. Similarly, Russia's control over the Northern Route may prove to be a point of vulnerability for China highly reliant on international commerce. Moreover, the value of the Arctic for global military strategies is certain to attract the People's Liberation Army of China as it develops far-sea defense capabilities, potentially triggering future armed confrontations between the two nations in the future.