09 September 2016, Volume 27 Issue 3
    

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    Contents
  • Editorial Office of Advances in Polar Science
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 0-0.
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  • Foreword
  • Timo Koivurova,Embla Eir Oddsdottir,Huigen Yang,Jian Yang,Xia Zhang
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 11-11.
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    The concept and practice of sustainable development as a guiding institutional principle, as a concrete policy goal, and as a focus of political mobilization remain salient in meeting the multiple challenges in the Arctic. How sustainable development is conceptualized and practiced depends very much on how it is embraced by scholars, policy makers and the people in the Arctic. Under the circumstances of climate change and political-economic globalization taking place in the Arctic, the region is receiving increasing international attention from scientists, academia and politicians. A “globalized” Arctic with potential economic prospects would add a new dimension to the nexus between the Arctic and Asia, and pave the way to facilitate further exchange and cooperation between Nordic states and China in Arctic affairs. This special issue is proposed on the basis of the China−Nordic Arctic Cooperation Symposium, held annually by the member institutes of the China−Nordic Arctic Cooperation Center since 2013. Its purpose is to address various aspects of sustainable development in the Arctic, including areas of environmental protection, economic growth, local community, oceans and the globalized Arctic, and to explore, from both Chinese and Nordic perspectives, how China will engage in the sustainable development of the Arctic. This special issue includes ten original papers which cover two research fields: security, environment and shipping in the Arctic and China’s engagement with these topics; and China’s bilateral and multilateral cooperative ties with Arctic states. We are convinced that these studies will provide a solid foundation and greater space for further co-operation between China and Northern Europe. We would like to commend the efforts of the authors and reviewers who have contributed to this special issue and acknowledge all members of the nominated editorial board for their great support. Finally, as guest editors of this special issue, we would like to extend our particular gratitude to Mr. Beixi Deng and the editorial office of the APS for their efforts in ensuring the success of this important issue.
  • Articles
  • Gørild Heggelund, Cheng Han
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 139-145. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00139
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    The article discusses whether and to what extent an Arctic dimension in Chinese climate policy exists, and whether there are signs of potential linkages between China's engagement in the Arctic and its domestic climate policies. Although the Arctic is not directly addressed in domestic climate policy, the article concludes that an Arctic dimension exists, in the following areas: the growing awareness in China of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, climate risk, resilience and vulnerability, which has contributed to increased attention to climatic change in the Arctic and its impact on China; polar scientific research, which is largely climate related, plays a significant role in determining China's Arctic climate agenda; China's climate policymaking and domestic institutional set-up is a contributing factor to climate engagement in the Arctic; China's status as an observer nation in the Arctic Council might potentially raise the profile of domestic climate policies and lead to the addition of an Arctic pillar to national climate change strategies.


  • LI Weifang, HUANG Yan
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 146-153. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00146
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    With the sea-ice diminishing steadily in the polar regions, there has been growing interest in new transit routes through polar waters using cost-effective transportation. Among the international regulators over polar shipping, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the leading body concerned with drafting marine safety and environmental protection rules. The mandatory Polar Code (International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters) adopted by the IMO signals the consensus among maritime states to apply compulsory rules to vessels operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters. As the standing member of the IMO and a major global shipping power, China is preparing to adopt national regulatory standards to develop an adequate vessel infrastructure and crew training system. Proceeding in parallel with the developing polar shipping industry, China will also move ahead in comprehensive collaboration with the Nordic states regarding polar issues.


  • HAN Jialin
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 154-158. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00154
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    This paper reviews the achievements of some typical non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in reducing black carbon emissions from shipping which enjoy the consultative status offered by the International Maritime Organization. It discusses the roles of the specific NGOs in dealing with black carbon in the Arctic region from the perspective of global governance to gain insights to guide our involvements in the Arctic affairs and shipping in the region by taking the advantages of NGOs’ influence on the proceedings of international negotiations, our national policy development, the improvement of industrial practices and public perceptions.

  • PAN Min, WANG Mei
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 159-162. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00159
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    The Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) is a global commons, and fishes in the CAO are common property resources. If humanity does not manage this region well, then this will lead to a "Tragedy of the Commons", an old problem in human society. However, the two existing means of commons governance, privatization and government control, are not appropriate for the CAO. This study's findings indicate that CAO fisheries management will most likely result from a process of self-organization. The openness of the CAO and the imbalance of powers, interests and responsibilities among the states that are involved will lead to a process of self-organized governance of CAO fisheries. There are four stages in this process: competition, synergy, establishment of governing principles and mechanisms, and expansion and evolution of influence. The outcome of CAO fisheries governance will be the result of compromise among the parties as no one actor is in a dominant position.

  • DENG Beixi
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 163-169. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00163
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    The security dynamics in the Arctic since the Cold War has transitioned from militarization, to de-militarization, and to re-militarization. Under the circumstances of ongoing globalization and climate change, the Arctic states have accorded priority to the enhancement of military capacities in the region, with a view to safeguarding sovereign rights, ensuring navigation security of Arctic waterways, responding to contingencies and guaranteeing civil security. Such military capacity-building measures are otherwise interpreted as initiatives to resume arms race in the Arctic, which would be contributive to the security dilemma. Subject to the structural competition of the U.S. – Russia rivalry, there has long been an absence of a security regime in the Arctic. Nevertheless, the build-up of security regimes in the Arctic constitutes a major concern for the Arctic states, as well as for some extra-regional stakeholders. In the Arctic regional context, the ever-intensifying institutional cooperation in the domains of nontraditional and civil security lays the cornerstone for establishing confidence-building measures, and gives rise to the consensus that maintaining cooperation in the Arctic will be mutually rewarding for all.


  • ZHAO Long
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 170-179. https://doi.org/10.13679/ j.advps.2016.3.00170
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    The process of rapid change in the Arctic is creating both opportunities and challenges. This paper highlights interactions between different actors in the Arctic in response to multidimensional environmental, political, commercial, and human challenges. It shows that international governance in the Arctic can be characterized by global, multilateral, and regional patterns derived from different mechanisms such as the Arctic Council or the Ilulissat declaration platform, and these interactions are based on common acknowledgment of challenges, mutual interests, and coordinated actions. The paper also examines China's participation in international governance in the Arctic. Distinguish from non-Arctic states in a general sense, China as an important stakeholder has both the rights and the capacity to be engaged in multilevel governance patterns. The substantive contribution of China's participation-an explorer in scientific cooperation, a pioneer promoting environmental protection, a potential consumer and investor in relation to economic opportunities, and a promoter of local development-are deeply interdepended with the future of development of three governance patterns relating to international governance in the Arctic.

  • Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 180-184. https://doi.org/10.13679/j. advps.2016.3.00180
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    This paper goes beyond Sino-Nordic Arctic science diplomacy and looks at Sino-Nordic Arctic triple-helix knowledge-based collaborations among academia, business, civil society (the inclusion of which moves beyond the original triple-helix concept), and government. In light of the potential of science diplomacy for building Sino-Arctic trust under systemic international conditions of power transition and globalization, this is the natural next step toward exploring triple-helix collaborations. Knowledge-based collaborations between academia, business, civil society, and government also open up avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship by both Arctic societies and Chinese society in attempts to address major challenges to sustainable development in these societies. This paper discusses possible triple-helix knowledge-based collaborations with China by each of the five Nordic countries, and highlights the innovation and entrepreneurial talents of summer school students at the University of International Relations in Beijing in developing projects as part of a course entitled “The Global Arctic”.

  • BAI Jiayu, Alexandr Voronenko
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 185-191. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00185
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    The strategic partnership between China and Russia is creating solid ground for the cooperative development of the Arctic. These two states'joint development of the Northern Sea Route will not only provide additional impulse to the export-oriented economy of China and allow further diversification of supply routes to China, but will also promote investment into the infrastructure and economic growth of Russian northern territories. Climate change in the Arctic has forced China and Russia to acknowledge the sustainable use of the Arctic. On the one hand, exploration of the region should not harm indigenous people's rights and should help this population improve their standard of living by providing qualified healthcare and opportunities for commercial fulfillment of traditional crafts. On the other hand, this exploration should also include elimination of harmful anthropogenic impact and provide support for environment self-restoration. Sino-Russian Arctic cooperation will help humans discover eco-friendly approaches to use Arctic resources, promote rational use of the Arctic and inspire sustainable development of the region.

  • Bent Ole Gram Mortensen, Jingjing Su & Lone Wandahl Mouyal
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 192-199. https://doi.org/10.13679/ j.advps.2016.3.00192
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    In 2009 Greenland moved to a more extensive degree of self-government in relation to the Kingdom of Denmark (the Realm), and most policy areas related to business activities and investment are now under the control of Greenland. Under the Self-Government Act, Greenland has issued legislation within several business sectors and other business-related policy areas, including the mineral resources sector. Today, Greenland is highly dependent on fishing and fish exports; however, the government is quite ambi-tious in its desire to develop new business sectors and attract foreign investment, including investment from China, especially to develop its mineral resources. China is now the second largest economy in the world, and outbound investments by Chinese companies present unprecedented opportunities for both the Chinese companies and their global partners. However, Chinese outbound investment faces many hurdles, both at home and elsewhere. It is highly advisable for Chinese companies to evaluate the regulatory, political, environmental, labor, and financial conditions and under-stand what remedies may mitigate the risks they identify before investing in Green land. This paper investigates and analyzes the hurdles faced by Chinese investors in both Greenland and the Danish Realm. The paper focuses on but is not limited to investments in the mining industry.


  • Daniela Tommasini , Shenghan Zhou
    Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 200-208. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.2016.3.00200
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    The profile of the Chinese tourist is changing. Outbound tourism destinations for Chinese tourists are no longer limited to the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese tourists visit many different destinations, and the areas around the Arctic Circle are growing in attraction. This paper is based on a 2016 online survey about Chinese tourists visiting Rovaniemi, Finland. The questions were based on a previous study of the Finnish Tourist Board conducted in 2003. The results were analyzed and the two studies were compared. The resultant profile of the Chinese tourist visiting the Rovaniemi area showed natural landscapes to be the most important attraction. All respondents had a “must-do” activity, and more than half participated in sport and leisure activities. The state of the environment, natural landscape, and safety conditions were rated most important among tourists. Increasingly, tourists prefer to organize individual trips, using multiple information channels. Currently, Chinese tourists demand deeper tourism experiences. They want to enjoy winter activities in a pure environment, and unique experiences, such as sleeping in an ice or glass hotel. Chinese tourists appreciate the uniqueness that cannot be found in other places. They wish to benefit from travel information from various media, which will allow Chinese tourists to make a complete plan before their journey.