International Governance Of The Arctic And China's Participation

As a developing country geographically closed to the Arctic Pole,China joined Arctic Council as official observer since 2013,officially expressing its will to involve in the regional governance and development activities.Meanwhile,the Chapter eleven in China's 13th Five-Year Plan issued in March,2016 mentioned explicitly the expansion and protection of its overseas interests in oceans and polar regions.The thesis embarks on the legal level regarding governance and development in Arctic region while teasing out relevant international treaties and governance mechanisms related to the upcoming China Arctic Pole Strategy Paper based on national level.In addition,the report seeks to identify the legal basis in terms of China's involvement in governance and development policies in the region from a diplomatic perspective.Besides,the report aims to provide legal services suggestions to parties concerned in conducting business activities effectively considering the state quo.Utilizing the cultural soft power and national image promotion,China should command the relevant treaties and related negotiation mechanisms so as to set up a good image by establishing good relations with natives and contributing to the protection and promotion of aboriginal culture.At the same time,China should focus on cultivating natives to tell good China stories so that a sound external environment to participate in sustainable Arctic governance and development should be guaranteed to protect the overseas interests.Chapter one of the thesis analyses the current international mechanisms in Arctic Pole as well as the specific domestic law and regulation in main Arctic countries.Chapter two depicts China's political and diplomatic concerns in participating the Arctic governance as official observer while analyzing the merit and demerits of China's strategy given the current Arctic governance mechanisms.From a strategic and diplomatic perspective,chapter three offers constructive suggestions to help China achieve a more positive and productive role in international Arctic governance based on the current Arctic governance structure.