May China Fish in the Arctic Ocean?

• Published in: Sustainability
• Main Authors: Yen-Chiang Chang, Mehran Idris Khan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: China’s white paper for Arctic policy; fisheries resources; Arctic Ocean; Chinese legal rights; Environmental effects of industries and plants; TD194-195; Renewable energy sources; TJ807-830; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Arctic; Arctic Council
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111875; https://doaj.org/article/4947862be3b947c6aae3bb8e6dc84da0

In addition to the traditional so-called Arctic states, non-Artic states and some other international organisations are now showing a growing interest in this area. China, for example, has achieved some progress, since becoming an Arctic Council permanent observer, through participation in resource development in the region and strengthening its bilateral relations with the Arctic states. The present study examines China’s Arctic policy and its implications for the governance of the Arctic Ocean. It also provides an insight into the existing relevant international legal instruments and examines China’s interest in the participation, governance, and resource protection activities in the Arctic Ocean region, to successfully implement Chinese Arctic policy. To this end, the study examines the connection between the “white paper” and “China’s Arctic Policy”, in the context of executing the “Belt and Road Initiative”, in particular the “Arctic Silk Road”. The study concludes that China intends to perform a dynamic role in governing the Arctic Ocean, as a less challenging but cooperative partner in this region.