The Arctic Protection, Development and Utilization Issues Leading to Hot Discussions


　　"Frozen Land" has gradually become a hot spot of concern

　　Recently, the Arctic Circle Forum Conference was held in Iceland. About 1,200 people from all walks of life from more than 50 countries and regions attended the meeting.

More than 100 seminars were held in the conference.

The Chairman of the Arctic Circle Forum and former Icelandic President Grimsson stated that the Arctic has changed. The Arctic is no longer isolated on the edge of the world, but plays a key role in international politics and climate change.

Analysts pointed out that many countries are discussing issues such as the protection, development, and utilization of the Arctic, and the "ice-covered land" of the Arctic is becoming a "hot spot" of concern to relevant countries.

　　Turn to "multi-wheel drive" form

　　As an important platform for the international community to care about, understand and protect the Arctic, and discuss Arctic governance, the Arctic Circle Forum was initiated by the then President Grimsson of Iceland in April 2013. It is currently hosted by Arctic countries and has the most extensive topics and the most subjects. A multi-faceted international forum for the most direct interaction between stakeholders inside and outside the region.

The conference is held in October every year. Heads of government, scientist groups, business and academia representatives from many countries and regions participate in the meeting to respond to Arctic climate change, protect the environment and ecological The topics of cultural and traditional protection, waterway and resource development are discussed.

　　"Due to the acceleration of ice melting caused by global climate change, the Arctic has become the focus of world attention with its unique ecological environment, abundant resource reserves and potential advantages of waterway development." Researcher of Shanghai Institute of International Studies and Assistant Director of Institute of Global Governance In an interview with our reporter, Zhao Long said that in recent years, Arctic affairs have shifted from a single scientific research drive to a "multi-wheel drive" form that includes exploration, cognition, protection, and development.

　　Differences in development concepts

　　At the second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference held recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an invitation to welcome all countries to actively use the northern sea route to increase trade between the East and the West.

The development of the Northern Sea Route is an important link in Russia's Arctic development strategy system.

　　According to Reuters, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev recently stated that Russia plans to start shipping through the North Sea route across the Arctic in 2022 or 2023.

Russia has invested heavily in infrastructure for the development of the North Sea route and hopes it will become a major shipping route.

Russia also plans to build icebreakers powered by liquefied natural gas to develop the route and make it more suitable for year-round navigation.

　　"For Russia, meeting the development needs of the Russian Arctic region, realizing reserves of oil and gas resources, accelerating the deployment of maritime security, and strengthening legal claims and actual control over the northern sea lanes are its basic demands." Zhao Long said that at present, Russia and others Some Arctic countries are pushing for accelerating the development of Arctic oil and gas resources and promoting the construction of infrastructure such as the Northern Sea Route, making it a trunk line of international transportation.

The United States and other countries advocated that climate change issues should be given priority and postpone Arctic resource development projects.

There are differences between the concepts of "protection first" and "accelerated development" among Arctic countries.

Under the current international situation, security issues have become more concerned in the game and interaction of Arctic powers.

　　Sino-Russian cooperation continues to deepen

　　"So far, China has incorporated the formulation of science and foreign policy into the Arctic Dialogue. At the same time, we have seen some very important cooperation projects between China and Russia. The natural gas pipeline from Russia's Siberia region all the way down to Shanghai is An example of new infrastructure projects in the Arctic region; the growth of shipping on the Northeast Passage in the Arctic is also an example; the third example is that before the epidemic, there were more and more flights between China and other Asian countries, and between Europe and Asian countries through the Arctic. "The chairman of the Arctic Circle Forum and former Icelandic President Grimsson said recently.

　　In 2018, China published the "China's Arctic Policy" white paper, which listed the promotion of Arctic peace and stability as one of the "China's main policy propositions for participating in Arctic affairs" and proposed the joint construction of the "Ice Silk Road" in order to promote the interconnection of the Arctic. Interoperability and sustainable economic and social development bring opportunities for cooperation.

In recent years, China-Russia cooperation in the Arctic region has continued to deepen.

The Sino-Russian Yamal LNG project located in the Arctic Circle has been described by Russian President Putin as a clear example of friendly cooperation between Russia and China.

In 2021, Yamal's LNG transportation volume will become the largest in the northern waterway.

In August 2021, Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula LNG station was also handed over to China Communications Construction. This project can extend the transport of LNG in Russia from inter-ice transport to further Asia.

　　"China and Russia have the consistency and complementarity of their interests in the protection and development of the Arctic, the feasibility of realizing all-round docking, and the necessity of deepening practical cooperation. At present, strengthening Sino-Russian Arctic cooperation in sustainable development is part of Sino-Russian Arctic cooperation. Main content. Sino-Russian cooperation in sustainable development in the Arctic has become an important force in maintaining peace, stability and sustainable development in the Arctic. Balance, to ensure that countries do not have the self-interest of "monopolizing the Arctic" when developing and using the Arctic, abandon the outdated thinking of "carving up the Arctic", and seek sustainable use of the Arctic based on intergenerational equity. This is to promote the peaceful development of the Arctic and win-win cooperation. key.

　　Reporter: Gao Qiao