ABSTRACT
The component of the international legal framework concerns international law as whole, which includes general international treaties and customary international law that are applicable to the Arctic. Traditionally, China has neither been enthusiastic in developing international organizations nor in great favor of multilateralism in international cooperation. Increasing voices from Chinese political and academic fields have indicated that the international community, and China in particular, have important roles in the Arctic region. An international agreement was eventually signed in 1994, but this was too late to preserve the pollock population. China has pursued active international cooperation in Arctic scientific research. According to incomplete statistics and with the exception of a few regional organizations or those with disciplinary restrictions, China has joined most of the influential Arctic international scientific organizations. China’s basic position on the existing international governance mechanisms on the Arctic is that while governance mechanisms should be maintained and respected, they should also meet the changing needs over time.
