Influence of the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation on the approach of non-Arctic states to Arctic scientific activities

As the third legally-binding instrument of the Arctic Council, the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation was signed in May 2017 and entered into force on 23 May 2018. The Agreement not only reduces obstacles to the international scientific cooperation and promotes the movement of people and equipment across borders for the effective and efficient development of Arctic scientific knowledge, but also provides an improved international Arctic legal environment for conducting Arctic scientific cooperation based on UNCLOS and institutional arrangements. However, the observer states, the NGOs and IGOs, as well as Permanent Participants are rarely mentioned in this Agreement. This article chooses one group, non-Arctic states, as a case in point in order to critically discuss the influence of this new Arctic scientific cooperation agreement. It argues that the non-Arctic states are left behind at the original legal situation and trapped in an inferior status in Arctic science. Under these circumstances, this article suggests that non-Arctic states, especially those with competitive research abilities, should appeal for amendment of the Agreement to allow wider access to research areas and data sharing, especially when cooperating with the eight-member states of the Arctic Council. Also, non-Arctic states should take the Agreement as the reference when signing bilateral agreements with Arctic states so as to safeguard their interests when conducting Arctic scientific activities. Moreover, the active participation in other fora as well as various bilateral scientific projects can assist non-Arctic states to strengthen the relations with the Arctic states and build trust in the Arctic Council.

Sinosteel LIRR Signed Cooperation Agreement with Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co.,Ltd.

On July 12, 2013, Sinosteel LIRR signed the strategic cooperation framework agreement with Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. Both sides agreed to cooperate in technology development, achievements application, technical exchange, intellectual property, etc. Both the technological advantages of Shanxi Steel Co., Ltd. on stainless application and Sinosteel LIRR further exploited. stee Taigang Stainless development and on refractories will befurther exploited.

CCOIC and Suning Commerce Group Signed Strategic Cooperation agreement

The signing ceremony of strategic cooperation agreement between China Chamber of International Commerce(CCOIC)and Suning Commerce Group Co.,Ltd(Suning)was heldin Beijing on August 23.Chairman of the CCPIT and CCOIC Jiang Zengwei and chairman of Suning Zhang Jindong attended and witnessed the ceremony.Secretary-General of the CCOIC Yu Jianlong and vice president of

Cooperation agreement reached between the Ministry of Land and Resources, Guangdong Province and C

On August 24, 2017, the Ministry of Land and Resources, Guangdong province and CNPC signed in Beijing a Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Promoting the Building of a Pilot Site for Exploring and Exploiting Gas Hydrate in the Shenhu Area of the South China Sea. The conclusion of this agreement will help accelerate the industrial development of gas hydrate in China, and is of great strategic significance to securing the country＇s energy security and optimizing its energy mix.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamic of Land Use in the Dja-Odzala-MinkébéLandscape between Cameroon, Congo and Gabon: Influence on the Evolution of Forest Cover in a Context of Cross-Border Cooperation

This study is being carried out in the cross-border area of the tri-national Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM), subject of a cooperation agreement between Cameroon, Congo and Gabon in 2005. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamics of changes in land use in the context of cross-border cooperation. Geographic information systems and remote sensing were used to produce the various land use maps. For this purpose, the MERIS satellite images for the periods 1992, 2005 and 2018 were used. The exploration of the different images and the field visits made it possible to identify the following six land use classes: dense forests, degraded/deforested forests, savannas, swamp forests, buildings and bare soils, water surfaces. It emerges that the TRIDOM landscape is mainly occupied by dense forests which represent 97.02%, 96.72% and 96.52% respectively in 1992, 2005 and 2018. Then, degraded/deforested forests and savannas which would correspond to cultivation areas and fallow land only represent respectively 1.06% and 0.68% of the landscape in 1992. This proportion in 2005 is respectively 1.22% and 0.77%, whereas in 2018, it is respectively 1.36% and 0.81% of the massif. The landscape of TRIDOM has not experienced any significant land use change during the period after the signing of the cooperation agreement. Historical rates of deforestation are low during the period under study. They are estimated at 0.042% and 0.030% respectively for the period 1992-2005 and the period 2005-2018. These low rates of deforestation seem to be due to the measures taken to secure and sustainably manage the massif taken by the three countries, the low population density in this area and the still difficult level of accessibility of a large part of the massif.

China-Iran strategic cooperation agreement in the changing international system

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,the international political and economic system has changed dramatically.The Western powers are in decline,while the non-western Asian and Eurasian powers are rising.The three-century-long Western dominated international system is giving way to a mixed system with Global North and Global South playing predominant roles simultaneously.In face of the changing international system,China and Iran are promoting strategic docking,and their relations have been updated from the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016 to the 25-Year Strategic Cooperation Agreement in 2021.This development demonstrates the resilience of China’s strategic partnerships in the Middle East,and is conducive to building a more balanced international system and fostering South-South cooperation.The updated Sino-Iranian relations is defensive,and it does not target any third party,nor does it change China’s non-alignment policy in the Middle East.It is conducive to promoting regional reconciliation between Iran and Saudi-led Arab countries.

University of Pennsylvania President Visits,Cooperation Agreement Signed

Professor Amy Gutmann, President of the University of Pennsylvania, visited Tsinghua on January 8, 2009. During her visit, a cooperation agreement was signed between University of Pennsylvania and Tsinghua.

Pengxin Resources Sign a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Greatpower Technology

On November 16,2017,Pengxin Resources announced that the company recently signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Greatpower Technology Co.,Ltd.,in which both sides intended to establish longterm,comprehensive and stable strategic cooperative relations in the new energy storage sector.

SAIC Motor and CHALCO Sign A Strategic Cooperation Agreement

On November 29,SAIC Motor Corporation Limited(SAIC Motor)and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited(CHALCO)formally signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai.The two industry leaders will carry out strategic cooperation in the vehicle weight reduction sector and actively promote energy conservation and

A Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement Signed Between CHALCO and Bayannur City

On May 9,a signing ceremony of a comprehensive strategic cooperation framework agreement was held at Aluminum Corporation of China headquarters with Bayannur City,marking the formal establishment of a strategic partnership between the two parties.