China’s Arctic guidance due in October

China has increased its polar activity in the past 10-15 years and is estimated by The Diplomat magazine to spend about $60M each year on polar research.

China's Navigation Guidance for the Arctic Route (Northwest Passage) is in preparation and scheduled to be released in October, according to the country's Ministry of Transport, IHS Maritime 360 reports.

The publication's writers - from the East Sea Navigation Security Centre - have referred to all existing documents on the Northwest Passage, including 20 British charts, 22 Canadian charts, and four Japanese charts, said the ministry.

China Communications Press published Navigation Guidance for the Arctic Route (Northeast Passage) in October 2014.