How Denmark perceives the Chinese presence in Greenland. A constructivist analysis of the publications and reactions of the Danish government in relation to Chinese presence in Greenland

Spadetto, Vanessa

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2021

2021-05-28

Specialet undersøger, hvorfor Danmark greb ind for at forhindre kinesiske selskaber i at vinde udbud i Grønland i 2016 og 2018, selvom Danmark ønsker tættere økonomiske relationer til Kina og har opfordret Grønland til at tiltrække udenlandske investeringer. Som ramme bruges sikkerhedsliggørelsesteori (hvordan et emne fremstilles som en sikkerhedstrussel for at legitimere særlige tiltag) sammen med konstruktivisme (hvordan idéer og opfattelser former politik) til at analysere danske bekymringer over kinesisk involvering i Grønland. Gennem indholdsanalyse af risikovurderinger fra efterretningsmyndigheder undersøger specialet, om frygten for en “Kina‑trussel” påvirkede danske opfattelser og reaktioner. Resultatet peger på en forbindelse mellem Danmarks holdning til kinesisk interesse i Grønland og landets bredere syn på Kina. Det tyder også på, at fortællingen om en “Kina‑trussel” er blevet fremmet af USA, som har forsøgt at sikkerhedsliggøre Kinas arktiske ambitioner og overbevise arktiske allierede om, at deres nationale strategiske interesser er truet.

This thesis examines why Denmark intervened to prevent Chinese companies from winning bids in Greenland in 2016 and 2018, even though Denmark seeks stronger economic ties with China and has encouraged Greenland to attract foreign investment. It applies securitization theory (framing an issue as a security threat to justify special measures) alongside constructivism (how ideas and perceptions shape policy) to analyze Danish concerns about Chinese involvement in Greenland. Through content analysis of intelligence risk assessments, the study investigates whether fear of a “China threat” influenced Danish perceptions and actions. The findings point to a link between Denmark’s stance toward Chinese interest in Greenland and its broader perception of China. The thesis also suggests that the “China threat” narrative has been promoted by the United States, which has sought to securitize China’s Arctic ambitions and persuade Arctic allies that their national strategic interests are at risk.

[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]

Danish government ; Greenland ; Chinese investments ; China threat fear ; Securitization in the Arctic ; Arctic policy

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