A general view of Chinese ice breaker ship 'Xuelong' - also called 'Snow Dragon' - docking at Tianjin.
Popular Mechanics: China Is Planning a Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker
The move could be a precursor to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
China is preparing to start bidding on a nuclear powered icebreaker, the first nuclear powered surface ship in the country’s history. An icebreaker powered by nuclear energy would give Beijing access to the Arctic and its resources. It would also pave the way toward nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, giving the People’s Liberation Army Navy unprecedented reach.
On June 21, 2018 China National Nuclear Corporation, an arm of the Chinese government, opened up bids to shipbuilders for the country’s first nuclear powered icebreaker. According to the state-run Global Times, the winning bidder would be required to “research, appraisal, building and testing of the ship, and provide technology support” for the Chinese government.
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WNU Editor: Chinese claims to the resources in the Arctic have been made on numerous occasions in the past decade .... China Wants To Exploit The Resources In The Arctic (July 24, 2014). This is now putting into practice to make it possible for China to stake their claims in the North.
