Pan Arctic Forum

TASS Russian News Agency published an article titled, “Norway interested in maintaining cooperation with Russia, says minister”. The article reads in part as follows;

Norway is seeking to maintain good-neighborly relations and practical cooperation with Russia, Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said on Wednesday as she addressed an annual international conference in Kirkenes, a town in the Arctic northeast of the country located 9 km away from the Norwegian-Russian border.

Cooperation between the two countries should develop in the interests of the rank-and-file people, she said, stressing the importance of keeping up practical cooperation with Russia and good-neighborliness traditions at a fair level.

The Japan News published an article titled, “Japan, Finland affirm cooperation on North Korea, Arctic policy”. The article reads in part as follows;

The foreign ministers of Japan and Finland agreed Wednesday to work together in tackling North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, including through the full implementation of U.N. sanctions.

“I want us to closely coordinate with each other to deal with North Korea and other international challenges,” Foreign Minister Taro Kono said during joint comments to the press ahead of a dinner meeting with Finnish counterpart Timo Soini.

The Japan News published an article titled, “Be wary of China’s move to secure greater interests in Arctic Circle”. The article reads in part as follows;

“China’s latest move can be described as clarifying its will to expand its influence in the Arctic Ocean, as part of efforts to transform itself into a great maritime power.

The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping has released its first white paper on Arctic policies.

The document asserts that nations that do not have territorial waters and territory in the Arctic Circle possess “the rights and freedom … to carry out activities” there, demonstrating China’s policy of increasing its involvement in a wide range of fields in the region.

South China Morning Post published an article titled, “How China’s Arctic policy paper has warmed the atmosphere with international observers”. The article reads in part as follows;

“China issued its official Arctic policy in a January 26 white paper. The paper prompted overwhelming praise among Chinese media and academics, along with much discussion among foreign observers, especially in member states of the Arctic Council.

Five states in Asia – China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and India – received observer status to the council in 2013.

Japan, South Korea and Singapore quickly proceeded to issue their Arctic strategy (India almost never issues formal papers outlining policy objectives). Attention has since turned to China, which received considerable amounts of advice and calls, from academics at home and abroad, to articulate its own Arctic policy for the sake of transparency.

China Dialogue published an article titled, “China Commits To Arctic Protections But Development Threats Loom” The article reads in part as follows;

“China has long been involved in Arctic affairs and has become an important player in the region in recent years. But without a clearly articulated Arctic policy, China’s frontline diplomacy has lacked guidance, leading other countries to be suspicious of its intentions on key issues.

China’s publication of an Arctic Policy white paper on January 26 will do a lot to resolve these problems. It was welcomed by polar scientists, countries involved in Arctic governance, and interested organisations that have long called for China to stake out a clear position.

Alaska Public Media published an article titled, “China Seeks Bigger Role in Arctic” The article reads in part as follows;

“At its most northern point, China is hundreds of miles from the Arctic Circle, but its leaders want a say in how the region is governed. Recently, the country issued its first national policy on the Arctic, and it reveals its expansive ambitions in the far North.

“China is determined to better know the Arctic, protect the Arctic, utilize the Arctic and participate in the governance of the Arctic,” Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said as the policy was announced, according to China’s official state media.

iPolitics published an article titled, “China’s Arctic Ambitions: The New Arctic Policy of a “Near-Arctic State”” The article reads in part as follows;

“China is a “Near Arctic State” with extensive and legitimate interests in the Arctic. That is the message in a new Arctic Policy statement released by Beijing Jan. 26.

CBC News published an article titled, “What does China’s new Arctic policy mean for Canada?” The article reads in part as follows;

“On Friday, China released a white paper describing its Arctic policy in a rare public move.

The policy outlines plans to develop shipping routes, expand its research programs, pursue environmental protection and develop resources across the Arctic.

“I’m a little shocked,” said University of Calgary associate professor Robert Huebert.

“The Chinese do not issue white papers. This clearly illustrated how important the Arctic is to the Chinese.”

Global Times published an article titled, “In Times of Trouble, Hard Work Keeps the Arctic Stable” The article reads in part as follows;

“Arctic tourism is an emerging industry, and China is a source of tourists to the Arctic. China supports and encourages its enterprises to cooperate with Arctic States in developing tourism in the region, and calls for continuous efforts to enhance security, insurance, and rescue systems to ensure the safety of tourists in the Arctic. China conducts training for and regulates Chinese tourism agencies and professionals involved in Arctic tourism, and endeavors to raise the environmental awareness of Chinese tourists. China advocates low-carbon tourism, ecotourism, and responsible tourism, and hopes to contribute to the sustainable development of Arctic tourism.

The Independent Barents Observer published an article titled, “In Times of Trouble, Hard Work Keeps the Arctic Stable” The article reads in part as follows;

“We should not be naive, because there are developments also in our region that we have to be mindful of,” Eriksen Søreide underscored in the panel debate at Arctic Frontiers. The conference is likely the world’s largest gathering on northern policy, economics and science developments with about 3,000 participants in Tromsø this week.

Unlike previous Arctic Frontiers sessions, hard talks on the more tense relations with Russia were openly discussed on stage.