The 8th China-Nordic Arctic Cooperation Symposium was held in Guangzhou, China, 3rd-6th December 2023. The theme of the Symposium was "Sustainable Development of the Arctic Oriented: The Role of Sino-Nordic Cooperation" followed by a business roundtable with the theme Green Solutions to Arctic Tourism. The convener of the symposium was the South China Business College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (SCBC) and co-conveners were the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), the secretariat of CNARC, Arctic Portal.org, and the Arctic Yearbook.

The Symposium, attended by about 100 participants from China, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, marked a significant post-COVID milestone in fostering collaboration between China and Nordic countries in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the Arctic region. It succeeded in fostering collaborative efforts, enriching the understanding of sustainable development in the Arctic, and laying the groundwork for future initiatives in Sino-Nordic cooperation. The event exemplified the commitment of participating institutions to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing Arctic landscape.

Day 1 - Sunday, December 3, 2023
The symposium kicked off with a day dedicated to essential pre-event activities:
10:00-18:00 Registration: Participants from various institutions gathered for registration, setting the stage for a diverse and engaging event.
15:30-16:50 Assembly of Member Institutes of CNARC: An exclusive gathering for member institutes to discuss shared objectives and strategies.
17:00-18:00 3rd CNARC Executive Committee Meeting: The executive committee convened to address organizational matters and plan the way forward.
18:00-20:00 Welcome Reception: The event opened with a warm welcome reception, fostering networking and camaraderie among participants.

Day 2 - Monday, December 4, 2023
The official opening day featured insightful sessions and discussions:
08:40-09:00 Registration: Participants gathered for the formal commencement of the symposium.
09:00-10:00 Opening: A formal opening session marked the beginning of the symposium, setting the tone for the days to come.
10:00-10:30 Group Photo & Coffee Break: A moment to capture the collective spirit and recharge with a coffee break.
10:30-12:00 Keynote Presentations: Distinguished speakers delivered keynote presentations, providing valuable insights into the symposium's theme.
12:00-13:00 Lunch: A networking lunch allowed participants to continue discussions in a more informal setting.
13:00-17:00 Session I – International Cooperation in the Arctic: Discussions revolved around envisioning new missions and visions for international cooperation in the Arctic for the next decade.
17:00-18:00 Launching Activities of “Arctic Yearbook 2023”: The day concluded with the launch of the Arctic Yearbook 2023, showcasing cutting-edge research and perspectives.

Day 3 - Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The second day delved deeper into thematic sessions:
8:30-12:00 Session II – Sustainable Development of the Arctic: Participants explored the interconnected elements of knowledge, rights, and policies crucial for the sustainable development of the Arctic.
12:00-13:00 Lunch: Another networking opportunity over lunch.
13:00-17:00 Session III - Realizing Good Governance in the Arctic: Despite geopolitical challenges, discussions centered on achieving good governance in the Arctic.
20:30-21:40 Tour of Guangzhou: Pearl River Night Cruise: A cultural and scenic interlude allowed participants to experience the beauty of Guangzhou.

Day 4 - Wednesday, December 6, 2023
The final day focused on China's contributions and concluded with a round table discussion:
8:30-12:00 Session IV - China’s Ten Years as an Observer in the Arctic Council: Insights were shared regarding China's scientific contributions during its tenure as an observer in the Arctic Council.
12:00-12:30 Closing remarks: The symposium concluded with reflections on the discussions and the way forward.
12:30-13:30 Lunch: A final networking lunch provided participants with an opportunity to exchange contact information and solidify connections made during the symposium.
13:30-18:00 CNARC ROUND TABLE - Green Solutions to Arctic Tourism: The round table discussed sustainable solutions for the growing challenge of Arctic tourism.

The 8th CNARC Symposium succeeded in fostering collaborative efforts, enriching the understanding of sustainable development in the Arctic, and laying the groundwork for future initiatives in Sino-Nordic cooperation. The event exemplified the commitment of the participating institutions to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing Arctic landscape.

Assembly Keynote Presentations:

Chair: Peter Sköld, Professor, Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University, Sweden

• Haiwen ZHANG, China Institute for Marine Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources. Topic: Chinese Perspective： BBNJ's International Negotiations and Adoption
• Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council. Topic: Sustainable Economic Development in the Arctic
• Jian YANG, Deputy Director of CNARC, Researcher of Shanghai Institute for International Studies. Topic: North meets East: Arctic Cooperation between China and the Nordic
• Nalân Koç, Research Director, Norwegian Polar Institute. Topic: Arctic Ocean in Rapid Transition - Needs for Coordinated Research Activities
• Meijiang CAI, Executive Director, Guangzhou Oceanus Turtle Specialized Shipping Co., Ltd. Topic: The 10th Anniversary Review and Outlook of the Arctic Shipping of Chinese Merchant Vessels
• Rasmus Gjedssø BERTELSEN, Professor, University of Akureyri/UiT-The Arctic University of Norway. Topic: Sino-Nordic (Arctic) Cooperation in the NATO+/BRICS+ World / Arctic Order

CNARC Plenary speakers:

Chair: Huigen YANG, Director of CNARC, Researcher of Polar Research Institute of China

• Hua WANG, Executive President of South China Business College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
• Feng GAO, Special Representative for Arctic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
• Ms. Hege Araldsen, Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway in Guangzhou.
• Þorsteinn Gunnarsson, Honorary Representative of Rannnis
• Antao WANG, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Natural Resources
• Wei LONG, Deputy Director General of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, State Oceanic Administration
• Tijun ZHANG, Deputy Director General of Polar Research Institute of China.

Sunday, 3^rd December 2023

• 10:00-18:00 Registration
• 15:30-16:50 Assembly of Member Institutes of CNARC (by invitation only)
• 17:00-18:00 3rd CNARC Executive Committee Meeting (by invitation only)
• 18:00-20:00 Welcome Reception

Monday, 4^th December 2023

• Opening Session
• 08:40-09:00 Registration
• 09:00-10:00 Opening
• 10:00-10:30 Group Photo & Coffee Break
• 10:30-12:00 Keynote Presentations
• 12:00-13:00 Lunch
• Thematic Sessions
• 13:00-17:00 Session I – International Cooperation in the Arctic for the Next Decade: New Visions and New Missions
• 17:00-18:00 Launching Activities of “Arctic Yearbook 2023”

Tuesday,5^th December 2023

• 8:30-12:00 Session II –Sustainable Development of the Arctic: Knowledge, Rights and Policies
• 12:00-13:00 Lunch
• 13:00-17:00 Session III -Realizing Good Governance in the Arctic amidst Geopolitical Obstacles
• 20:30-21:40 Tour of Guangzhou: Pearl River Night Cruise

Wednesday,6^th December 2023

• 8:30-12:00 Session IV -China’s Ten Years as an Observer in the Arctic Council: China's Scientific Contributions
• 12:00-12:30 Closing remarks
• 12:30-13:30 Lunch

CNARC ROUND TABLE

• 13:30-18:00 Green Solutions to Arctic Tourism

View the full program

• Professor Edmund Li Sheng from Shandong University. Title: The Arctic as a Platform for Cooperation and Competition Between China, Russia, and the United States: The New Strategic Triangle and Arctic Policy
• Professor Long ZHAO from Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. Title: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Arctic Governance Amid Shifting Geopolitics
• PhD Research Fellow Erdem Lamazhapov from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute. Title: Environmental Cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic
• Professor Lilei SONG from Tongji University. Title: The EU's View of China-US Competition and Cooperation in the Arctic from a Global Governance Perspective
• Professor Jiayu BAI from Nankai University. Title: Research on China-Nordic Cooperation in Arctic Governance for Its Sustainable Development from an International Law Perspective
• Senior Researcher Sanna Kopra from the University of Lapland. Title: Rethinking International Relations in an Era of the Planetocene: Case Arctic Ocean Up to 2050
• Dr. Yunlu SHEN from Shanghai International Studies University. Title: What are next stage for Arctic cooperation from the perspective of the Chinese authority
• Dr. Guizhao TAN from Jinan University. Title: The change of space view, New geopolitical obstacles to Arctic governance
• Assistant Researcher Han LIU from PRIC from Shanghai International Studies University. Title: Sino-Nordic Cooperation on Green Energy Transition in the Global Arctic Chuanxing
• Professor WANG (online) from Tongji University. Title: Changing International System Structure and Cooperation on the Arctic Governance: Challenges, Opportunities, and Prospects
• PhD Researcher Marco Volpe from the University of Lapland. Title: China's Polar Science Diplomacy
• Senior Researcher Liisa Kauppila (Online) from the University of Turku. Title: Rethinking China’s Primary Node Vision in the Arctic
• Associate Professor Dan LIU from Shanghai Jiaotong University. Title: The Notion of “Indigenous Peoples” under International Law and Its Implication for the Arctic Indigenous Rights: Asian Observers' Perspective
• Associate Professor Jialin HAN from Dalian Maritime University. Title: Exploring Ways for China's Participation in the Arctic Governance in the Era of Polar Code Adjustment
• Senior Baozhi CHENG (Online) from Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. Title: Risk Precaution and Prevention of Arctic Shipping Development
• Associate Professor Ping SU (Online) from Tongji University. Title: From AMBI to World Coastal Forum——Chinese Scientists' Contribution
• Associate Professor Guangmiao XU from East China Normal University. Title: Creating Links with the Arctic through Education
• Professor Feng QU from the University of Liaocheng. Title: Research Trend on Chinese Subarctic Peoples
• Lecturer Yilina from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Title: Comparative Study of the Social and Cultural Aspects of Evenki Communities in China and Russia
• Associate Professor Ying LUO from South China Business College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Title: The Practice of Chinese Private Shipping Companies in the Arctic Waterway: Risks and Management
• Associate Professor Yitong CHEN from Law School, Ocean University of China, Ph.D. in Law. Title: The Climate Narrative in the Arctic Governance from the Perspective of International Law and Future Prospects

Theme: Green Solutions to Arctic Tourism

Key Questions:

1. What’s the image and attraction of Arctic tourism？
2. What are the challenges Arctic tourism is facing？
3. Solutions and practices to reduce footprints in Arctic tourism

Time: 14:00-17:30, December 6th (GMT+8)

Venue: International Conference Hall, Administration Building, South China Business College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (SCBC) (No. 181, Liangtian Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China)

Sponsors: South China Business College(SCBC), Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China-Nordic Arctic Research Center(CNARC)

Organizers: Center of Polar Issues Studies, South China Business College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

Co-organizers: Arctic Portal &CNARC Secretariat

Supporters: Guangzhou Lingnan Commerce & Tourism Investment Co., Ltd. & GZL International Travel Service Ltd

Language: English & Chinese with simultaneous interpretation

Language in Slides: English

Rules: The Chatham House Rules apply

Agenda:

Location: the Lobby of the Administration Building

Time: 14:00-17:30, December 6th (GMT+8)

Opening and panelist presentation（14:00-15:30）

Moderators: Yang Huigen, Professor and Director of CNARC, Polar Research Institute of China

Opening remarks: Mr. Ding Xiaojun, Chairman of the Board, SCBC

Panelist presentations (10 minutes for each):

• Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council
• Mrs. Ruth Huang, Vice President of GZL International Travel Service Ltd., Title: Challenges Facing the Resumption of Arctic Tourism in China

Jacob Isbosethsen, Minister - Head of Representation, Greenland Representation

Chen Shuxing, Associate Professor, Deputy Dean of the School of Management, SCBC. Title: The Demand of Chinese Tourists and Development Prospects for Green Tourism
in Arctic Destinations

Peter Sköld, Professor, Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University, Sweden. Title: Pandemics in the Arctic: Past & Present

Kjell Stokvik, Managing Director, CHNL, Nord University Business School. Title: The Future of Arctic Shipping in the Geopolitical Tensions and Regionalization

GROUP PHOTO & COFFEE BREAK

Time: 16:10-16:25, December 6th (GMT+8)

Moderator: Yang Huigen, Director of CNARC, Polar Research Institute of China

Speakers (5 minutes for each):

Invited comments and free discussion (16:00-17:30)

Moderator: Halldór Jóhannsson, Executive Director, Arctic Portal, Iceland

Invited comments (5 minutes for each)

• Mr. Wu Decheng, Shanghai Fisheries Group Ltd.
• Prof. Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen, Professor, University of Akureyri/UiT-The Arctic University of Norway
• Dr. Rebecca Lee, Director of the Hong Kong Polar Museum Foundation
• Þorsteinn Gunnarsson, Senior Adviser to the RANNIS of Iceland
• Prof. GU Yeli, Professor, School Inspector of SCBC
• Mr. GAO Feng, Special Representative for Arctic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China

Free discussion (each question/comment within 3 min, second question/comment possible afterward)

• Chen Baiyu, President of Guangzhou Lingnan Group Holdings Company Limited
• Yang Jian,  Deputy Director of CNARC, Researcher of Shanghai Institute for International Studies, China
• Nalân Koç, Research Director, Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway
• Guo Peiqing, Professor and Executive Director of Polar Center, Ocean University of China
• Deng Beixi, Deputy Director of the Division of Polar Policy, Polar Research Institute of China
• Lassi Heininen, Editor, The Arctic Yearbook, Finland

ATTENDEES

• Chen Shuxing, Associate Professor, Deputy Dean of the School of Management, SCBC
• Ding Xiaojun, Chairman of the Board, SCBC
• DENG Beixi, Deputy Director of the Division of Polar Policy, Polar Research Institute of China
• Erdem Lamazhapov,  PhD Research Fellow, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway
• GAO Feng, Special Representative for Arctic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
• GU Yeli, Professor, School Inspector of SCBC
• Guo Peiqing, Professor and Executive Director of Polar Center, Ocean University of China
• Halldór Jóhannsson, Executive Director, Arctic Portal, Iceland
• Þorsteinn Gunnarsson, Senior Adviser to the RANNIS of Iceland
• Jacob Isbosethsen,  Minister - Head of Representation, Greenland Representation
• Jian YANG,  Deputy Director of CNARC, Researcher of Shanghai Institute for International Studies, China
• Jiayu,  Professor and Director, Nankai University, China
• Kjell Stokvik,  Managing Director, CHNL, Nord University Business School, Norway
• Lassi Heininen, Editor, The Arctic Yearbook, Finland
• Lilei Song,  Professor, School of Political Science & International Relations, Tongji University, China
• LIU Lanfeng, Professor and Executive Director of the Center of Polar Issues Studies, SCBC
• Mads Qvist Frederiksen,  Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council
• Nalân Koç, Research Director, Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway
• Peter Sköld,  Professor, Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University, Sweden
• Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen,  Professor, University of Akureyri/UiT-The Arctic University of Norway
• Samuel ikechukwu Agbaoji,  Economist, International scientific research Institute, Nigeria
• Songlin Yang, Doctor, South China Agriculture University
• Tsegaye Gebre Achamo, Statistician, Ethiopian Central Office, Ethiopia
• Wen Huang, Guangdong university of foreign studies
• Wu Decheng, Manager of the Enterprise Management Dept., Shanghai Fisheries Group Ltd.
• XU Jun, Deputy Director of Scientific Research Affairs Office, SCBC
• Yang Huigen,  Director of CNARC, Researcher of Polar Research Institute of China
• Yilina,  Lecturer, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University

Roundtable Agenda

Lassi Heininen presenting the latest issue of the Arctic Yearbook

Conference Room

To view photos, please visit the photogallery