The Energy And Waterway Policy Under Russian Arctic Strategy

As entering the21^st century, with its growing strategic importance, the Arcticregion gradually listed on the schedule of geopolitics and economics. It not onlyrelates to countries in this region, but also other major nations on earth. It is easy topredict that, with the development of global economy, the competition for energyresource and waterway transportation will be more and more intense in the area ofArctic sea and continental shelf. The arctic region is a unique geographical area.Under certain condition and environment, it is easier to come into other nation’sstrategic view, so it possesses great geopolitical value. Russian, the nation which hasthe longest seashore in North Polar area, pays great attention to its strategic interest inArctic region. It is not only because the Arctic region is the base of natural resourceand the Arctic waterway is a national transportation line, but also because the Arcticsea is a natural defense of Russia.In Mar.30^th.2009, the Russian government announced its first programmaticdocument-The principle of national policy and future plan on the Arctic region in theRussian Federation in2020（as the Russian Arctic policy in the following part）. Thisfile is part of national strategy, a systematic and overall guidance, which willdetermine the direction of Russian economy and Arctic Region Geopolitics. Threeyears after initiation, the Russian government has gain great success, especially inenergy development and waterway construction. In order to cooperate with thechanging and challenge both inside and abroad, the Russian government announcedRussian energy strategy before2030in Nov.13^th.2009（as the new energy strategy inthe following part）. This new strategy amended the former one in2003, and finally along-term Russian energy development strategy was built. Russian accelerates its stepin developing energy in Arctic Region. Energy plays an important role in Russiandevelopment. As the annual decrease in original resource bases, the establishment ofnew energy bases is of great importance to Russian government. As the increasingneed of energy resource in global scope, the seashore area of Arctic sea and theSiberian region will definitely become the energy base for Europe, even the wholeworld. The large needs and climate change are the main driving force to run Arcticwaterway. Moreover, the lucrative benefit charging the ships in Arctic waterway is also an important reason. In present background of international law and sea laws, it isdifficult to define the legal status of Arctic waterway and straits. However, accordingto international custom law, these straits and waterways are international straits forinternational voyage, foreign ships has the right of passage. The Russian government,making laws to take monopoly control of these waterways, has already arousedintense discontent in other related countries. The uncertainty of legislation and politicare the major problems of Arctic waterways.Although China is not an Arctic country, the Arctic Region still has importantstrategic value to China. The main point of China’s research in Arctic Region is thetrend of climate change and its affection to China. From now on, China shouldreconsider our Arctic policy. At least, China should be positively think about thesecurity of national energy supply and the waterway safety.