Publication: Advances in Polar Science. 2016, 27(3): 11-11
Authors: Timo Koivurova, Embla Eir Oddsdottir, Huigen Yang, Jian Yang, Xia Zhang
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.
CNARC member: Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC)
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.
