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Pairs trading is one of the mainstream statistical arbitrage strategies in current financial market practice that can seize possible arbitrage opportunities caused by mispricing between similar assets. Based on the theory of statistical arbitrage and the similar attributes of carbon emission allowances traded in different carbon markets, this paper studies the applicability of the pairs trading strategy among different pilot markets in China. The novelty and possible contribution of this paper are as follows. Firstly, this paper extends the statistical arbitrage-based pairs trading framework to the analysis of carbon market transactions in China, which broadens the understanding of the correlation between China's carbon markets. Secondly, this study explores the arbitrage opportunities among China's regional carbon markets that have not been revealed by previous studies. Thirdly, based on the pairs trading analytical model adopted in this study, this paper further investigates the operation characteristics of China's carbon markets and the interaction between markets, as the sensitivity of strategy performance to the key parameters is also discussed. The results show that arbitrage based on pairs trading is profitable. In the baseline case, the annualized arbitrage returns between the Shanghai emission allowance and Beijing emission allowance is about 9.11%, the highest among all pairs. However, there is almost no pairing relationship between the Tianjin carbon market and other markets. By discussing the time distribution of arbitrage signals generated by the pairs trading strategy, it is found that most signals are sent out during the inactive trading period in a compliance cycle. The conclusions provide valuable insights for formulating relevant carbon market regulatory policies and investors' participation in arbitrage activities in China's carbon trading markets. • The application of the pairs trading strategy is extended to the Chinese carbon markets. • Based on relative value arbitrage theory, arbitrage opportunities between markets are examined. • Pairs trading strategy can also yield sustainable and distinctive returns in the Chinese carbon markets. • Arbitrage trading between the Shanghai and Beijing markets may yield promising annualized returns with about 9.11%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]