China’s Engagement in Arctic Governance for Its Sustainable Development Based on International Law Perspective

Abstract

With climate change, melting sea ice and snow in the Arctic increase the probability that states engage in activities there. The prosperity of Arctic activities serves as a reminder to the international community that the issue of Arctic governance must be prioritised to avoid Arctic unsustainable development. As a major stakeholder besides the Arctic states, it is necessary to study China’s role in Arctic governance for its sustainable development to provide a reference for the diplomatic decision-making of other states. The paper selects international law as a perspective. It discusses China’s engagement in the development of international law related to the theme from the global, regional, and bilateral/multilateral levels. At the global level, China’s national role is characterized by engaging in global governance under the international rule of law for guarding the international order based on international law. At the regional level, China maintains the role of supporting and engaging in the Arctic Council, both before and after its establishment. At the bilateral and multilateral levels, China, as an Arctic stakeholder pursuing cooperation, has achieved many cooperation results. The paper holds that under China’s national roles, China’s engagement has affected the development of international law referred to the theme to some extent.