ABSTRACT
The white paper highlighted China’s policy goals in the Arctic, which are shaped by four key principles: to understand, protect, develop and participate in the governance of the Arctic. China supports efforts in formulating a legally binding international agreement on the management of fisheries in the high seas portion of the Arctic Ocean. China’s Arctic strategy is only just beginning to unfold and still faces many challenges, including the Arctic states’ disputes over territorial sovereignty, continued skepticism towards Chinese intention, challenges from the natural environment in the Arctic region and the limits of China’s current technology. The Chinese media and academic communities responded to the white paper’s release with praiseful reports and analysis, highlighting China’s passion and enthusiasm of China for the Arctic. The China National Petroleum Corporation has a 20 percent stake in the Yamal liquefied natural gas project, and the countries intend to cooperate on railway and port facilities expansion in Arkhangelsk.
