Norway blocks sale of last private land on Svalbard after Chinese interest

Minister says sale could disturb stability in the region and potentially threaten Norwegian interests'

The Norwegian government has called off a plan to sell the last privately owned piece of land on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard in order to prevent its acquisition by China.

The remote Sore Fagerfjord property in south-west Svalbard - 60 sq miles (sq km) of mountains, plains and a glacier - was on sale for 300m (277m).