Arctic governance paradigm and the role of China

Abstract

The changing environment in the Arctic has had great impact on the global ecosystem and socio-economic activities. This paper emphasizes that the multilevel paradigm of Arctic governance is a manifestation of collective action in dealing with common challenges at global level. At the regional level, the Rovaniemi process seeks a common identity from a wide range of actors, encouraging them to provide public goods whilst protecting the exclusiveness of their interests. The Ilulissat process at the sub-regional level is in pursuit of centralizing the cooperation among state actors, facilitating internal consultation over specific disputes and exclusive jurisdictional restriction. This paper also argues that China, as a major stakeholder in Arctic governance, has demonstrated its capacity to improve the governance structure at global, regional and sectorial levels displaying its willingness to become a practitioner of scientific cooperation, a pioneer of ecosystem and environmental protection, a contributor to the development of shipping and a promoter of the development of indigenous communities.