China and a new order in the Arctic

• Main Author: Kopra, Sanna
• Other Authors: Brems Knudsen, Tonny, Navari, Cornelia
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Palgrave Macmillan 2022
• Subjects: /dk/atira/pure/person/fieldofscience2010/5/17/2; International political science; Arctic; Arctic Council; Climate change
• Online Access: https://research.ulapland.fi/fi/publications/337a4b7d-3036-44f2-b200-10948390ca0e; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97711-5_13

This chapter uses the case of the Arctic and China’s engagement in the Arctic to contribute to a better understanding of the potential and limitations of the power transition, not only in the Arctic, but also more generally. First, it outlines the key characteristics of Arctic politics and governance, with special attention to the Arctic Council. It then reviews the ways in which China’s growing role in the Arctic stands to shape the regional settings orchestrated by the eight Arctic states. It concludes that due to climate change, globalisation and power transition, the Arctic has become deeply intertwined with global governance processes, and it will be increasingly difficult for the Arctic Council to maintain its position as a principal secondary institution in the Arctic.