China's bilateral diplomacy in the Arctic

Abstract

This article investigates China's bilateral diplomacy in the Arctic towards the USA, Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, Russia and Iceland. In seeking to identify (1) the most important bilateral issues, (2) whether China's diplomacy towards some of Arctic states has been more successful than others, and (3) the long-term goals of China's Arctic diplomacy and presence, the article utilizes insights from theories of diplomacy in IR as well as the particular historical experiences of the PRC. It concludes with identifying how Beijing's utmost concern when it comes to foreign policy still centers on promoting economic benefits and creating a global presence conducive to economic growth. Yet, while economic factors undoubtedly preoccupy Chinese decision-making in the Arctic, Chinese representatives currently speak less about economic development than about their environmental concerns. Chinese footprints in the Arctic have been adequately established primarily in the scientific research field, while commerce and multilateral governance are secondary. Further, it is also apparent that China has been developing contracts with the smaller Arctic powers of Denmark and Iceland (and earlier also attempted to do so with Norway) to facilitate collaborations in both Arctic research as well as economic development. With the bigger Arctic powers, such as the USA and Russia, China appears to prioritize other, more pressing bilateral issues than those pertaining solely to the Arctic.

China’s Climate Policy: Does an Arctic Dimension Exist?

“…China's strategic and trade interests are perceived to be main drivers for its diplomacy in the Arctic [4,26] ; however, China is eager to maintain a low profile in the Arctic region and around its Arctic interests [33] . As of 2016, China has not issued a national policy regarding the Arctic region, although Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) may be developing an Arctic Strategy/Policy according to stakeholders (in 2016).…”

“…China's involvement in the Arctic has mainly been linked to scientific research [4,7] . China's climate-related policies in the Arctic have been fairly consistent over the past few decades, focusing on scientific expeditions and basic scientific climate research.…”

“…Furthermore, the Arctic is regarded as an important source of knowledge for future climate development. In recent years, China has shown growing interest in the Arctic region and a number of studies and reports have discussed whether China has geopolitical intentions in the Arctic linked to global security, shipping routes and resource interests [1][2][3][4][5][6] . However, these studies have not looked into a possible climate policy aspect in China's engagement in the Arctic.…”

“…China's presence in the Arctic comprises the first Chinese Arctic research station, Chinese Arctic Yellow River Station on the Svalbard Archipelago, which is under Norwegian sovereignty [5] . A milestone in China's Arctic history came in 2013 when the country obtained observer status in the Arctic Council; in addition Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore and Italy were granted observer status at the Ministerial meeting in Kiruna, Sweden in 2013 [4,8] . That same year, the China-Nordic Arctic Research Center was established in Shanghai to strengthen research collaboration between China and Nordic research institutions on Arctic matters [9] .…”

“…That same year, the China-Nordic Arctic Research Center was established in Shanghai to strengthen research collaboration between China and Nordic research institutions on Arctic matters [9] . In addition to engaging with smaller Nordic states (e.g., Norway, Denmark, and Iceland), China also collaborates with bigger Arctic states (U.S., Russia, and Canada) [4] .…”