China is primary threat in Arctic, says CSIS official

CSIS Official Says China Tops Russia as ‘Primary Threat’ in the Arctic | Epoch Times | Noé Chartier:

February 13, 2026 - "Although China is not an Arctic country like Russia, its activities in the region are raising greater concern for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, according to a senior official. Paul Lynd, an assistant director with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), told MPs on Feb. 12 that though Russia maintains a “tremendous interest and focus” on the Arctic, China poses the greatest threat in the region.

“'[Russia is] of less concern than say, the activities of China and other hostile state actors at this time,' Lynd said. He specified that Russia does pose a military threat in the Arctic, which falls more under the purview of National Defence, and that the threat from China involves foreign interference and economic security. 'It’s a primary threat,' Lynd said about China in the Arctic.

"Lynd, who holds the rank of an assistant deputy minister, is the CSIS executive in charge of overseeing all of the agency’s collection activities and operations, whether in Canada or abroad. He was appearing before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, which is currently conducting a study on Canada’s Arctic strategy.

"Lynd said concerns about Chinese activities in Canada’s Arctic relate to the use of underhanded means to acquire assets. The CSIS official specifically noted how China is currently attempting to dominate the critical minerals sector.

“'The concern we have would be with clandestine or deceptive investment practices or economic engagement in certain market sectors in the Arctic,' he said. Lynd also underlined the threat of foreign interference in the economy through the attempted manipulation of Canada’s economic policies.

"CSIS monitors economic security and advises the government when a review under the Investment Canada Act is triggered by a proposed foreign takeover. Ottawa blocked the sale of TMAC Resources’ gold mine in Hope Bay, Nunavut, to Chinese company Shandong Gold Mining in 2020, citing national security concerns."

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