Synopsis The plan states that China would "participate in pragmatic cooperation in the North Pole" and "raise its ability to participate in the protection and utilisation of the South Pole". according to a Reuters report from Shanghai. AP Amidst growing tensions in the South China Sea, Beijing has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a "Polar Silk Road" and actively participate in the development of Arctic and Antarctic regions raising fears of increased militarisation and environmental damage to the planets fragile ecological area. "China will participate in the pragmatic cooperation on the Arctic and the building of a 'Polar Silk Road'," according to the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035, the country's Xinhua news agency reported from Beijing on Friday.