CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION

Takhira Kamaljanova; Aidarkhan Dauylbayev

CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION

Abstract

In this paper, the changing paradigm of the Chinese government’s response to the Arctic region is examined, with special focus on the increasing engagement of the non-Arctic state within the region, which has initially been under the impact of Arctic nations. It analyzes the progress of China’s engagement in the Arctic region, from science-based research in the late twentieth century to the formation of a structured geopolitical and geo-economic strategy in the region. The study examines various aspects of China’s involvement in the Arctic, such as scientific cooperation, environmental initiatives, infrastructure projects, and investments in energy development. In particular, the “Polar Silk Road” initiative, which extends China’s Belt and Road Initiative to include the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route in China’s vision of an alternative global trade route, receives special consideration. Moreover, this study evaluates China’s political approach in terms of supporting the “near-Arctic state” stance and the pursuit of an internationalized governance pattern in the Arctic. Finally, with a holistic approach that combines politics, science, and economics, this study provides insight into China’s strategic intentions in the Arctic and what such intentions may mean for the regional and global future balance.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study did not require approval from an ethics committee as it did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data. All data used in this research were obtained from publicly available sources.

References

China’s Arctic Policy. (2018). The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China. https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/white_paper/2018/01/26/content_281476026660336.htm
China–Iceland Arctic Science Observatory inaugurated in northern Iceland. (2018, October 19). Xinhuanet. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-10/19/c_137542493.htm
Joint statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on further deepening comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction. (2017, July 4). President of Russia. http://www.kremlin.ru/supplement/5218
Karandasheva, V. Yu. (2019). China’s policy in the Arctic region. Problems of the Post-Soviet Space, 6(1), 24–32.
Keyu, G. A. (2020). Shifting Northeast Asian security landscape and China–ROK–Japan Arctic cooperation. The Journal of East Asian Affairs, 33(2), 59–81. https://doi.org/10.2307/26856115
Konyshev, V. N., & Kobzeva, M. A. (2016). Shpitsbergen v arkticheskoi politike Kitaya [Svalbard in China’s Arctic policy]. Vestnik VGU. Seriya: Istoriya. Politologiya. Sotsiologiya, 4, 48–54.
Lei, S. (2021). China’s positioning in the Arctic: Evolution of concepts and promotion mechanisms. Asia-Pacific Region: Economics, Politics, Law, 24(4), 99–110.
Medvedev, D. A., Polonchuk, R. A., & Shashok, L. A. (2020). Arkticheskaya politika Kitaya v pervoi chetverti XXI veka [China’s Arctic policy in the first quarter of the 21st century]. ANO TsSOiP.

Rekets, M. O. (2024). Kurs na Sever: Arkticheskaya politika Kitaya v kontekste global’nykh geopoliticheskikh izmenenii [Course to the North: China’s Arctic policy in the context of global geopolitical changes]. Vestnik Rossiiskogo universiteta druzhby narodov, 24(3), 371–384. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-1438-2024-24-3-371-384
Steinveg, B. (2021). The role of conferences within Arctic governance. Polar Geography, 44(1), 37–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/1088937X.20201864682
Sun, K. (2015). Upravlenie arkticheskim morskim putem i uchastie Kitaya [Arctic sea route management and China’s participation]. Vestnik Morskogo universiteta Kitaya, 1, 2. (in Russian)
Trenin, D. (2023, November 30). China’s polar studies contribute to tackling climate change: Researcher. China Daily. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202311/30/WS6567e9a7a31090682a5f0b4e.html
Tulupov, D. (2013). China’s membership in the Arctic Council: What does it mean? Russian International Affairs Council. https://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics-and-comments/analytics/china-s-membership-in-the-arctic-council-what-does-it-mean-f/
Vladimirskaya, K. (2018, August 29). Kitai postroit atomnye ledokoly dlya raboty v arkticheskikh shirotakh [China will build nuclear-powered icebreakers for operations in Arctic latitudes]. Rossiiskaya Gazeta. https://rg.ru/2018/08/29/kitaj-postroit-atomnye-ledokoly-dlia-raboty-v-arkticheskih-shirotah.html
Yamal LNG project. (2017). Yamal SPG proekt [Yamal LNG project]. Neftegaz.ru. https://neftegaz.ru/tech-library/pererabotka-nefti-i-gaza/142429-yamal-spg-proekt/

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Regional Studies, Politics in International Relations

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Takhira Kamaljanova ^* This is me
0000-0002-6877-7129
Kazakhstan

Aidarkhan Dauylbayev This is me
0000-0003-2740-0437
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

January 30, 2026

Submission Date

June 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kamaljanova, T., & Dauylbayev, A. (2026). CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION. Eurasian Research Journal, 8(1), 22-33. https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE

AMA

1.Kamaljanova T, Dauylbayev A. CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION. ERJ. 2026;8(1):22-33. https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE

Chicago

Kamaljanova, Takhira, and Aidarkhan Dauylbayev. 2026. “CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION”. Eurasian Research Journal 8 (1): 22-33. https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE.

EndNote

Kamaljanova T, Dauylbayev A (January 1, 2026) CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION. Eurasian Research Journal 8 1 22–33.

IEEE

[1]T. Kamaljanova and A. Dauylbayev, “CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION”, ERJ, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 22–33, Jan. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE

ISNAD

Kamaljanova, Takhira - Dauylbayev, Aidarkhan. “CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION”. Eurasian Research Journal 8/1 (January 1, 2026): 22-33. https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE.

JAMA

1.Kamaljanova T, Dauylbayev A. CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION. ERJ. 2026;8:22–33.

MLA

Kamaljanova, Takhira, and Aidarkhan Dauylbayev. “CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 22-33, https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE.

Vancouver

1.Takhira Kamaljanova, Aidarkhan Dauylbayev. CHINA AS A NEAR-ARCTIC POWER: MULTIDIMENSIONAL POLICY IN THE ARCTIC REGION. ERJ [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 1;8(1):22-33. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA84HK24CE