China in the Arctic, Concerns for Arctic Maritime Security and U.S. Homeland Security: A Single Case Study

China in the Arctic raises concerns for maritime security and homeland security throughout the region as accessibility to natural resources and navigational routes are increasing due to the melting of the perennial ice. The increased access provides China the opportunity to extract natural resources and increase shipping through the Northwest Passage allowing for shorter shipments. The opportunity may increase the risk to maritime security and homeland security as China's intentions are currently unknown. The problem this study examined was that given China's current interest in Arctic natural resources, their aggressive military history, and their political relationships, could China pose a future threat to Arctic maritime security and U.S. homeland security. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to document U.S. government, military, and education professionals' perceptions of China's interests in Arctic natural resources, their aggressive military history, and their political relationships as China could pose a future threat to Arctic maritime security and U.S. homeland security. The sample included four professionals with expertise in the Arctic region and China from government, military, and education. The study provided consistent findings from data collected during the phone interviews triangulated with referenced policies and documents. However, with some issues, study findings contrasted with the published literature. China is viewed as a world power wanting to increase their maritime capabilities and political relationships for access to the Arctic region to gain alternate and additional natural resources for their economic growth. However, China is not currently viewed as a threat to Arctic maritime security or U.S. homeland security though this status may change in the future through the increase of maritime capabilities and growing political relationships. Recommendations for future academic study include studying longitudinally, the in-depth partnerships China has created and further creates in efforts to gain further access to the Arctic region. Another recommendation is to conduct a qualitative multi-case study in order to gain perspectives from multiple government and military officials from other Arctic Circle countries who may have further information on China's agreements with their countries and China's activities in the Arctic Circle.