Polar security is one of the emerging domains of security and is set to become a new focal point for future international competition and global governance. This is because both the Arctic and Antarctic regions hold abundant natural resources and involve the interests of multiple countries; thus, polar security is an indispensable component of national security.

In recent years, parts of the Arctic have experienced ice-free periods due to climate warming. China has actively developed the Northeast and Northwest Arctic shipping routes, which can shorten connections between Western Europe and North America, save costs, and reduce reliance on traditional sea lanes — thereby lowering potential strategic risks. Additionally, China has independently built Xuelong 2, the world's first icebreaker equipped with bidirectional ice-breaking technology, enabling it to navigate polar oceans safely.

China has become a leading nation in polar exploration, taking an international lead in areas such as polar and global climate-change research, krill biology, and the collection and study of Antarctic meteorites.