This article analyses the cooperation policies between China and Russia in the development of shipping in the Russian Arctic. This process is analysed as a part of a comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, able to significantly affect the development of the Global Arctic. It is necessary to study the principals and opportunities of this partnership format which allows for mitigating discrepancies in the national interests of the two states. Via comparison of the Chinese 'Ice Silk Road' initiative and Russian plans for the development of the Northern Sea Route, this piece evaluates convergence/ contradiction in national interests and willingness/unwillingness to compromise. With a key example of mitigating legal discrepancies, the author discusses the matter of the statusquo of the two states in the Arctic. Sino-Russian interaction should be viewed as a process, whereby success depends on the ability of the two governments to alter their behaviour, while considering the benefits of compromise. In turn, compromises are feasible to the extent that the harmony of national interests of the PRC and the Russian Federation in the Arctic is achievable.
The article examines China's Arctic policy features and the meaning of the first published White Paper of 2018 for the future behaviors of the PRC. The author reviews the interests of the PRC in the High North, and the political objectives and means. The article pays special attention to the origins of Chinese policy in the Arctic, including the national strategy, expert discourse, and regional specifics. The author discusses the role of the Chinese public and private actors for the implementation of national achievements in the circumpolar region. The article examines Chinese interpretations of key international documents regulating activities in the Arctic, and the significance of these interpretations for the implementation of the PRC policy. The special emphasis is made of the diplomacy features and the role of the "soft" and "hard" power when China is interacting with different actors. The author explores the interconnection of the White Paper "China's Arctic Policy" with the implementation of the "Arctic Silk Road". As an outcome, the author indicates principles explaining China's Arctic behaviors in the longterm perspective.
Two factors historically played a decisive role in the West Nordic region’s affairs: its strategic location and small societies’ long struggle for independence. The current power balance shift challenges the progress of Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland towards strengthening their independence and sovereignty. The research suggests a theoretical contemplation of the West Nordic region’s shifting practices of sovereignty in current affairs with Russia and China amid the US’ patronage. Drawing on the model of Patron-Client relations, the article considers the US as a patron state for the West Nordic region, whereas Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland are discussed as clients. The Kingdom of Denmark is regarded as a junior patron due to its intermediate position in relations with the US on the one hand and the Faroe Islands and Greenland on the other. Russia and China are addressed as patron adversaries. The research enquires as to whether any of the two US opponents advertise themselves as alternative patrons for the West Nordic region and what explains the weak or alarmist US reactions to Russia and China initiatives in the region. Special focus is on the comparison of the three great powers’ behaviour in the region. Major findings raise the discussion of customisation of sovereignty and its consequences for future relations in the West Nordic and globally.
Ключевые слова: Арктика, китайскоамериканские отношения, арктическая политика Аннотация Тема. Изучение и обзор современного состояния и перспектив взаимодействия Китая и США в Арктике. Цели. Изучение основных направлений сотрудничества Китая и США в Арктике, возможных препятствий для его развития. Рассмотрение в качестве кейса проекта «Аляска-СПГ», анализ экспертного дискурса КНР по вопросу сотрудничества с США в Арктике. Результаты. Исследование показало положительную динамику взаимодействия двух стран в Арктике, относительно независимую от общего фона двусторонних политических отношений. Существенным подспорьем в развитии контактов на арктическом направлении является торгово-экономическое сотрудничество, новым этапом которого должен стать проект «Аляска-СПГ». В рамках этого сотрудничества США представляют руководство и добывающие компании штата Аляска, а КНРкрупнейшие корпорации при активной поддержке Генеральной торговой палаты Китая в США. Возможное включение штата в проект Арктического шелкового пути, которому будет способствовать проект «Аляска-СПГ», может принести Китаю существенные политические выгоды в регионе. Ключевой сферой совпадения политических интересов Китая и США в Арктике является идея совершенствования управления регионом, которая в том числе подразумевает расширение числа участников этого процесса и обеспечение свободы навигации. Однако пока США не ратифицировали Конвенцию ООН по морскому праву, полноценное сотрудничество с Китаем в этой сфере неосуществимо. Выводы и рекомендации. В ходе взаимодействия с Китаем в Арктике российской стороне целесообразно изучить и принять во внимание возможные сценарии сотрудничества Китая и США в сфере арктического управления.
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