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This paper focuses on the environmental challenges related to the future development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). With special reference to the Sino-Russian cooperation, this article assumes the opportunity for Russia to develop its Arctic zone with new infrastructure by taking advantage of the opening of the NSR as a future extension of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the increasing shipping activities in the Arctic waters raise much concern regarding the vulnerability of the Arctic environment. The article concludes that a more environmentally conscious approach to the economic enhancement of the NSR is highly recommended.

The article examines and compares the Arctic policy of Russia and China in the field of environmental protection and analyzes specific environmental activities carried out by them in the Arctic.Aim. The purpose is to review the environmental policy of Russia and China implemented in the Arctic. Tasks. Identify existing problems and offer recommendations for their solution.Methods. A systematic approach, generalization, synthesis, comparative analysis, and document analysis were used.Results. Four main directions of implementation of Russia’s environmental policy in the Arctic have been identified. The main provisions of the White Paper “China’s Arctic Policy”, which regulates the directions of China’s Arctic policy implemented by the Administration for Arctic and Antarctic Affairs, are considered. Three main lines in Beijing’s environmental strategy in the Arctic region are highlighted. A comparative analysis of the environmental policies of the two countries in the Arctic is carried out.Conclusions. The national interests of both countries in the Arctic are connected with economics and geopolitics, but veiled under the interests of solving environmental problems. The current issues in the Arctic are environmental protection, the fight against climate change and the development of international cooperation. The declarative, programmatic nature of the main documents on environmental protection in the region, as well as the absence of a joint competent authority carrying out joint activities of the states under consideration in the Arctic, remain unresolved problems of both China and Russia in the implementation of Arctic environmental policy.

Abstract China's Arctic policy attracts highly attention worldwide, especially on how China views the current legal framework of the Arctic, how China defines its role, interests and priorities in the Arctic and how China engages in the Arctic international governance. The aim of this paper is, through analyzing China's first white paper on Arctic policy from the perspective of international law, to provide a comprehensive overview of China's perceptions on the legal status and framework of the Arctic, China's identification, policy goals, basic principles, policies and positions as well as practices relating to its participation in Arctic affairs. It concludes with two distinct characteristics of China's Arctic Policy. Highlights • China's views on legal status and framework of the Arctic and the identification of China as an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs. • The policy goals on China's participation in Arctic affairs, namely to understand, protect, develop and participate in the Arctic governance. • The basic principles on China's participation in Arctic affairs, namely respect, cooperation, win-win result and sustainability. • The positions and policies on China's participation in Arctic affairs, including scientific research, environmental protection, resources utilization, governance. • China's practices on participation in Arctic affairs, including the commitment to explore building up of the Polar Silk Road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unique geological and geographical characteristics and immense economic potential have made Arctic governance an issue of global attraction, as evidenced by China's recently published first Arctic policy. One important part of Arctic governance is the UNCLOS, and China has to evaluate its Arctic involvement from the perspective of this treaty. While a number factors motivate China's Arctic interests, the contemporary legal regime of Arctic governance is focused on respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Arctic States as well as the UNCLOS principles. On its journey to Arctic governance, China must comprehensively elaborate on its legal choices by thinking more carefully of the UNCLOS in order to reply to the comments or criticism from other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]