ISTANBUL

China is an “important stakeholder in Arctic affairs,” said Beijing on Thursday amid US President Donald Trump's claims to own Greenland.

“China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs and has consistently participated based on the principles of respect, cooperation, mutual benefit, and sustainability,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

Guo also stated that Beijing has always supported international relations according to UN principles, adding that China “remains committed to strengthening cooperation with all parties to safeguard peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.”

Greenland, a territory under Danish sovereignty since 1953, has attracted Trump's interest due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources. Tensions rose after Trump refused to rule out economic or military action to secure Greenland, claiming that it was critical for "the protection of the free world."

Trump has previously described owning Greenland as an "absolute necessity" for US economic security, likening the acquisition to a "large real estate deal."