CHINA’S NEW ARCTIC POLICY (On the White Paper 'China’s Arctic Policy')

The article is devoted to the analysis of the PRC’s first normative political document on the Arctic — the White Paper “China’s Arctic Policy” (January 2018). The authors characterize China’s new viewpoints of Arctic policy, analyze the international and domestic background, describe the main principles and positions, outline the goals and importance of this policy. The White Paper is a Chinese program for the Arctic governance, which determines China’s participation in Arctic affairs at present and in the future. The guidelines of this participation are: deepening the exploration and understanding of the Arctic, protecting the environment of the region and addressing climate change, utilizing Arctic resources in a lawful and rational manner, participating actively in the Arctic governance and international cooperation, promoting peace and stability in the region. The White Paper will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between China, the Arctic countries and other stakeholders in the region, helping Chinese (especially the younger generation) understand the changes in the Arctic and improve their knowledge about the environment. The document generally reflects the rules and ways of the PRC’s participation in the Arctic governance, allows different Chinese departments, organizations and individuals more effectively coordinate and manage Arctic affairs. China as a “Near-Arctic State” is an important stakeholder, an active participant and a constructer; it makes a special contribution to Arctic affairs in accordance with international law. On the basis of the Chinese conception of creating a “Community of Common Destiny of Mankind” together with Arctic states and international community, the PRC understands, protects, develops the Arctic and participates in the Arctic governance, actively promotes cooperation in the construction of the Arctic part of the “Belt and Road”, safeguards and promotes peace, stability and the sustainable development of the region. Acknowledgements. The article was prepared as part of the “Project of Philosophy and Social Science Research of the Ministry of Education” (16ZD029).