China and its Arctic Trajectories: The Arctic Institute’s China Series Report 2020

China’s Arctic engagement has increased considerably during the past decade, which has not only offered plentiful economic opportunities but also created new risks and concerns among the eight Arctic states, non-state actors, and peoples. To increase understanding of dimensions of Beijing’s Arctic activities, The Arctic Institute’s 2020 China series probed into China’s evolving Arctic interests, policies, and strategies, and analyses their ramifications for the region (and beyond).

As the articles of the series demonstrated, China has constructed an Arctic identity and partakes in international frameworks, such as the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), that support its globalist view of the Arctic. China has also developed bilateral Arctic partnerships, and Chinese investors are involved in economic projects in many parts of the region. As the biggest carbon dioxide emitter in the world, China undoubtedly contributes to environmental security in the Arctic. At the same time, there are also signs that many Arctic states are increasingly concerned about hard security implications of China’s growing Arctic engagement.

All in all, The Arctic Institute’s 2020 China series offered a comprehensive account of China’s policies and interests in the Arctic – highly recommended reading if we are to enhance international cooperation and assure that the Arctic remains an international zone of peace in the future.

You can download a pdf-file of all published articles throughout 2020 or start by reading our intro-text from March 17, 2020.