China-Russia Relations in the Arctic Friends in the Cold?

The Arctic has been characterized by international cooperation but has recently emerged as a possible arena for great power rivalry. A key question affecting development among most dimensions is the relationship between the largest Arctic state, Russia, and China with global ambitions also including the Arctic. This edited volume provides an in-depth analysis of the many aspects of Sino-Russian relations in the Arctic. From the geopolitical implications, including consequences of the war in Ukraine, to infrastructure cooperation to environmental aspects, analyses are provided by top experts in their respective fields. The edited volume aspires to give a realistic picture of the Sino-Russian relationship, shared as well as conflicting interests, what is actually happening on the ground, what are driving forces and obstacles for cooperation, and importantly, how can the bilateral relationship in the Arctic possibly impact international relations. 

1 Introduction: Understanding Sino-Russian Relations in the Arctic – Iselin Stensdal and Gørild Heggelund.- Part I Governance and Geopolitics.- 2 Great-Power Politics and Regional Order in the Arctic – Jo Inge Bekkevold and Christopher Weidacher Hsiung.- 3 Common Interests and Practical Cooperation of Russia and China in the Arctic During the Period of ‘Total Sanctions’ – Liudmila Filippova and Vladimir Petrovskiy.- 4 The Arctic Strategic Triangle: United States – China – Russia Competition and Cooperation – Pavel Devyatkin.- 5 China on the Arctic Council: Another venue for Sino–Russian cooperation? – Svein Vigeland Rottem and Gørild Heggelund.- Part II Infrastructure.- 6 A Chinese railway to the Arctic? The Belkomur project and the role of China – Arild Moe.- 7 The History of Russia’s Development of the Northern Sea Route and Its Implications for Sino–Russian Cooperation – Xu Guangmiao.- 8 Chinese Arctic Shipping Under the Polar Silk Road: Reality or Vision? – Erdem Lamazhapov, Gørild Heggelund, and Iselin Stensdal.- Part III Resources and Environment.- 9 Sino–Russian Arctic Gas Cooperation Amid New Geopolitical Realities: Impacts and Perceptions – Anna Korppoo and Yue Wang.- 10 Sino–Russian Cooperation on Arctic Microplastic Management – Zou Leilei and Wei Daqin.- 11 The futures of Sino-Russian cooperation: Implications for climate (ir)responsibility in the Arctic – Karoliina Hurri and Sanna Kopra.

Iselin Stensdal is Research Fellow at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway and has worked on Asian and Chinese interests for the Arctic since 2012. She edited Asian countries and the Arctic Future (2016), one of the first volumes that thoroughly investigated Asian countries’ Arctic interests. 

Gørild M. Heggelund is Research Professor at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway. She has conducted research on China’s environmental, energy and climate change policy for three decades, as well as China’s Arctic policies. Heggelund has lived and worked 17 years in China, including for the UN.