ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes China’s partnership with the Arctic stakeholders, including the Arctic states, indigenous peoples and other Asian states who have similar interests as China in the Arctic and were also granted observer status of the Arctic Council in 2013. The role of stakeholders has become more salient in the Arctic policy agenda. Canada assumed the chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2013 and controls the Northwest Passage in the Arctic region. Russia is one of five countries bordering the Arctic Ocean. Moscow defined its Arctic strategy back in 2008 and named the High North a region of strategic importance in its 2017 naval doctrine. Russia’s position on Chinese engagement in the Arctic affairs has evolved from skepticism to active albeit cautious cooperation. Except for cooperation on the Yamal Peninsula, Russian and Chinese companies have not yet found further mutual ground for energy cooperation in the Arctic.
