China published a white paper on its Arctic policy Friday, offering a thorough introduction to its policy goals, basic principles, policies and positions for its participation in Arctic affairs.

The white paper, defining China as an “important stakeholder” in the Arctic,stresses the country’s understanding of its relationship with the region and provides guidance for its activities there, Zhao Long, associate researcher at Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said in a telephone interview with China.org.cn.

China has been playing an important role in scientific research and environmental protection in the Arctic, as evidenced by the eight scientific expeditions it has so far undertaken in the Arctic Ocean and the efforts it has made as an accredited observer to the Arctic Council, Zhao said.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a participant in other major platforms for regional and international cooperation, China has worked together with other countries on some global issues, in the process gaining valuable experience. Zhao believed it could contribute to Arctic governance.

Zhu Feng, director of Institute of International Studies at Nanjing University, said the white paper elaborated China’s basic positions and principles on protection and development of the Arctic, one of the major aspects of global governance in the 21st Century.

Publication of the document reflects China’s active efforts to flesh out the mechanisms for governance and international cooperation in the Arctic region, according to Zhu, who is also executive director of China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University.

Success in Arctic governance will set an example of how relevant parties can find effective solutions to similar global issues through communication and inclusive participation, and from that sense, China will be able to make a greater contribution to global governance, Zhu said.

“China, as a responsible major country, is ready to cooperate with all relevant parties to seize the historic opportunity in the development of the Arctic, to address the challenges brought by the changes in the region, jointly understand, protect, develop and participate in the governance of the Arctic, and advance Arctic-related cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to build a community with a shared future for mankind and contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development in the Arctic,” the white paper noted.

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