Chinese science diplomacy in Arctic climate governance based on a survey and interviews with Chinese scientists

Science diplomacy is attracting increasing attention in the international relations literature.This study investigates how Chinese scientists understand this term and explores China’s dynamic praxis in Arctic climate governance.It conducts a theoretical and practical examination of science diplomacy in terms of three dimensions—science in diplomacy,diplomacy for science,and science for diplomacy—thus achieving a high degree of consistency.A multi-method approach,combining qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and involving the adoption of a literature review,participant interviews,and questionnaires,is adopted.Data were collected from interviews with 16 Chinese scientists involved in Arctic climate governance and from 130 valid questionnaires collected from Chinese natural scientists working in the climate change field.Drawing on qualitative and quantitative findings,the study reveals that the three-dimensional framework of science diplomacy can provide insight into Chinese scientists’understandings of the topic.In contrast to the participants’vague theoretical responses,the outlines of China’s Arctic climate governance can be clearly identified within this framework.The study concludes by underlining the tension between theory and practice in terms of science diplomacy and highlighting the emerging challenges for China in developing its Arctic science diplomacy against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict.Moreover,it is suggested that,to further develop China’s Arctic science diplomacy,it is vital to take account of the deficiencies in China’s science diplomacy.The study’s empirical results contribute to an understanding of the dynamic nature of science diplomacy in the Chinese context.

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.

Triple-helix knowledge-based Sino-Nordic Arctic relationships for trust and sustainable development

This paper goes beyond Sino-Nordic Arctic science diplomacy and looks at Sino-Nordic Arctic triple-helix knowledge- based collaborations among academia, business, civil society （the inclusion of which moves beyond the original triple-helix concept）, and government. In light of the potential of science diplomacy for building Sino-Arctic trust under systemic international conditions of power transition and globalization, this is the natural next step toward exploring triple-helix collaborations. Knowledge-based collaborations between academia, business, civil society, and government also open up avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship by both Arctic societies and Chinese society in attempts to address major challenges to sustainable development in these societies. This paper discusses possible triple-helix knowledge-based collaborations with China by each of the five Nordic countries, and highlights the innovation and entrepreneurial talents of summer school students at the University of International Relations in Beijing in developing projects as part of a course entitled ＂The Global Arctic＂.

Building an“Outer Space Silk Road”:China’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System in the Arab World

Navigation satellite systems are the symbols of states’hard power,and so are the assets of science and technology diplomacy.In the new era,the structure of great powers’navigation satellite systems is characterized by“one superpower”(the US GPS),“multi-pillars”(EU’s Galileo,Russian GLONASS and Chinese Beidou),and“multi-centers”(Indian regional navigation satellite system and Japanese quasi zenith navigation satellite system).Beidou is of great significance to promoting“One Belt and One Road”Initiative in the Arab world,and the essential measures to deepen the strategic partnership between China and the Arab League in inter-connectivity;it will also be an essential step for Beidou’s“going global”strategy in the long run.The implementation of Beidou’s projects in the Arab world is confronted with four dimensions of challenges of political,security,judicial and socio-cultural risks.Its implementation follows an incremental principle,choose pivotal states,create a radiation effect,which will lay a foundation for Beidou to open the West Asian and African market in the years to come.