Former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying called for greater international cooperation on scientific research and environmental protection in the Arctic, saying climate change, rather than imagined security threats, is the real challenge facing the region.

Fu made the remarks while leading a Chinese delegation to the 2026 Arctic Circle Assembly, held from Thursday to Saturday in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. More than 2,500 representatives from over 70 countries and regions attended the event to discuss issues related to understanding, protecting, developing and governing the Arctic.

During a plenary session themed "How to Understand China," Fu held a dialogue with former Icelandic President and Arctic Circle Chairman Olafur Ragnar Grimsson.

Fu said the real challenge currently facing the Arctic is climate change, and countries should devote more attention and resources to scientific research and environmental protection, rather than engaging in geopolitical competition over imagined security threats.

Too much of the current geopolitical discussion is based on imagined threats, which wastes valuable time and resources, she said.

Changes including melting Arctic sea ice, shrinking ice sheets and rising temperatures are already taking place, Fu said, adding that climate change is the real issue that countries need to confront together.

She called on countries to pool their strengths and resources, enhance scientific research cooperation, jointly assess the challenges posed by climate change, and make early preparations.

Fu noted that a joint statement issued by the leaders of China and Iceland last year stressed stronger cooperation on climate change and green energy. Such practical cooperation can better demonstrate China's policy and intentions regarding its participation in Arctic affairs, she said.

Speaking on China's development and its international role, Fu said that China remains committed to peaceful development, has no intention of seeking global hegemony and does not believe the world needs a new hegemon.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with other countries and promote a more just and equitable global governance system, she said.

Founded in 2013, the Arctic Circle holds its annual assembly in Iceland every October and serves as an important global platform for dialogue on Arctic affairs.