Arctic Problems Research Articles

The increase of the Arctic’s energy status and specific economic and strategic importance of the Arctic sea lanes attract attention of many countries, including rapidly developing China. The article investigates in detail the directions of the Beijing arctic strategy, making an emphasis on analysis of the real and possible intentions of the Heavenly Empire China in this region. It shows that the economic and, above all, the energy interests are priorities in China's arctic strategy. The logistics and transport capabilities of the Arctic also arouse an increased interest of China. China has the most active and differentiated research program for studying the Arctic in order to respond to the negative effects of the climate transformations caused by arctic ice melting. This determines the active participation of Beijing in various international scientific and expert discussions on the Arctic's problems. The government of China considers the international legal activity to clarify and institutionalize the legal status of the Arctic as the most important task for itself in the Arctic race.