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Introduction: The Game in the Arctic—A Historical Review Read chapter Read first chapter

2022 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

8. The Polar Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative: Integration and Optimization

Author : Edmund Li Sheng

Published in: Arctic Opportunities and Challenges

Publisher: Springer Singapore

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Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative presents a realistic demand for expansion and connectivity to the entire Arctic region. As a significant component of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s proposed Polar Ice Silk Road sets out a vision for China’s future maritime cooperation and geopolitical strategy in the Arctic. This chapter addresses concerns about China’s Polar Silk Road and Belt and Road Initiative and their practical effects on the Arctic region.

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Footnotes
1
National Development and Reform Commission and the State Oceanic Administration of the People’s Republic of China. (2017). Vision for maritime cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
2
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Sheng, L. (2021) How Covid-19 reshapes new world order: Political economy perspective. Springer.
 
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Sheng, L. (2014). Economic structure, cost outsourcing, and global imbalances. Journal of Australian Political Economy, 74, 81–95.
 
7
Sheng, L. (2015). Theorizing income inequality in the face of financial globalization. The Social Science Journal, 52(3), 415–424.
 
8
Li, Z. F., & Peng, Y. (2018) “The Polar Silk Road” and the Great Arctic Network: Role, evolution and China's strategy. Northeast Asian Economic Research, 2(5), 5–20.
 
9
Lim, K. S. (2018). China's Arctic policy and the Polar Silk Road Vision. Arctic Yearbook, 2018, 420–432.
 
10
Pelaudeix, C. (2018). Along the Road China in the Arctic. Connectivity and security. Brief, 13.
 
11
Blunden, M. (2012). Geopolitics and the northern sea route. International Affairs, 88(1), 115–129.
 
12
Zhu, X. P., Zhang, Y. F, Liu, X., & Wang, Y. G. (2018) Implementing the spirit of the 19th National Congress to build the “Ice Silk Road”-Jilin University-Russian Academy of Military Sciences “Ice Silk Road” Seminar. Northeast Asia Forum, 27(2), 3–7.
 
13
Biedermann, R. (2020). The Polar Silk Road: China’s multilevel Arctic strategy to globalize the Far North. Contemporary Chinese Political Economy and Strategic Relations, 6(2), 571–615.
 
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Sheng, L., & do Nascimento, D. F. (2021). Love and trade war: China and the US in historical context. Springer.
 
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Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. (2021). Russia boosts Arctic LNG shipments to China to meet growing energy demand. Russia boosts Arctic LNG shipments to China to meet growing energy demand.
 
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Yilmaz, S. (2017). Exploring china’s arctic strategy: Opportunities and challenges. China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 3(1), 57–78.
 
17
Blaxekjær, L. Ø., Lanteigne, M., & Shi, M. (2018). The Polar Silk Road & the West Nordic Region. Arctic Yearbook, 2018, 437–455.
 
18
Li, X. P., Fang, Z., & Liu, H. Y. (2017). Rights and obligations of the Arctic Region under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and their relationship with geographically disadvantaged States. Polar Research (2), 279–285.
 
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25
Ibid.
 
26
Havnes, H. (2020). The Polar Silk Road and China's role in Arctic governance. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 4(1), 121–138.
 
27
Zheng, Y. Q. (2019). China-Nordic blue economic passage: Basis, challenges and paths. China International Studies (5), 29–49.
 
28
Reinke de Buitrago, S. (2020). China’s aspirations as a “Near Arctic State”: Growing stakeholder or growing risk? In Handbook on geopolitics and security in the Arctic (pp. 97–112). Springer.
 
29
Mohr, J. (2020). China in the Arctic and the case of Greenland. In Handbook on geopolitics and security in the Arctic (pp. 113–129). Springer.
 
30
Ibid.
 
31
Ibid.
 
32
Kossa, M. (2019). China’s Arctic engagement: Domestic actors and foreign policy. Global Change, Peace and Security, 32(1), 19–38.
 
33
Pelaudeix, C. (2018). Along the road: China in the Arctic. Connectivity and security. Brief, 13.
 
34
Borgerson, S. (2008). Arctic Meltdown: The economic and security implications of global warming. Foreign Affairs, 87(2), 63–77.
 
35
Yilmaz, S., & Liu, C. M. (2019). Remaking Eurasia: The Belt and Road Initiative and China-Russia strategic partnership. Asia Europe Journal, 18(3), 259–280.
 
36
Alexeeva, O., & Lasserre, F. (2018). An analysis on Sino-Russian cooperation in the. Arctic in the BRI era. Advances in Polar Sciences, 29(4), 269–282.
 
37
Pincus, R. (2020). Three-way power dynamics in the Arctic. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 14(1), 40–63.
 
38
Weber, J. (2020). Limited cooperation or upcoming alliance? Russia, China and the Arctic. In Handbook on geopolitics and security in the Arctic (pp. 345–361). Springer.
 
39
Sheng, L., & Share, M. (2022). Exchange between Russia and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area in a historical context. Revista de Cultura, 67, 46–59.
 
40
Yearender: Growing China brings prosperity to Eurasia. Xinhua (2017, December 31).
 
41
Weidacher Hsiung, C. (2016). China and Arctic energy: Drivers and limitations. The Polar Journal, 6(2), 243–258.
 
42
Havnes, H. (2020). The Polar Silk Road and China’s role in Arctic governance. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 4(1), 121–138.
 
43
Hossain, K., Zojer, G., Greaves, W., Roncero, J., & Sheehan, M. (2017). Constructing Arctic security: An inter-disciplinary approach to understanding security in the Barents region. Polar Record, 53(1), 52–66.
 
44
Havnes, H. (2020). The Polar Silk Road and China’s role in Arctic governance. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 4(1), 121–138.
 
45
Ho, J. (2010). The implications of Arctic sea ice decline on shipping. Marine Policy, 34(3), 713–715.
 
46
Dobson, A. (2007). Green political thought. Routledge.
 
47
Arctic Council. (1996). Declaration on establishment of the Arctic Council (The Ottawa Declaration) 1996.
 
48
Greaves, W. (2016, March 22). Thinking critically about security and the Arctic in the Anthropocene. The Arctic Institution.
 
49
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50
Wang, H. J., Chen, H. P., & Liu, J. P. (2015). Arctic sea ice decline intensified haze pollution in eastern China. Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, 8(1), 1–9.
 
51
State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China. (2018). China’s Arctic Policy.
 
52
Kopra, S. (2020). China, great power responsibility and Arctic security. In Climate change and Arctic security (pp. 33–52). Springer.
 
53
Yin, Y. C., & Sheng, L. (2021). Theorizing about global imbalances: An inequality perspective. Argumenta Oeconomica, 46.
 
54
Liu, N. (2018). Will China build a green Belt and Road in the Arctic? Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 27(1), 55–62.
 
55
Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China. (2017). Guidance on promoting Green Belt and Road. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from.
 
56
Campbell, C. (2013). China and the Arctic: Objectives and obstacles. US-China. Economic and Security Review Commission.
 
57
XinHuaNet. (2019, November 25). China’s polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 finished its icebreaking tasks.
 
58
XinHuaNet. (2021, May 7). Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2 completes Antarctic expedition.
 
59
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60
Hoogensen, G., Bazely, D., Christensen, J., Tanentzap, A., & Bojko, E. (2009). Human security in the Arctic-Yes, it is relevant! Journal of Human Security, 5(2), 1–10.
 
61
Hossain, K., Martín, J. M. R., & Petretei, A. (2018). Understanding human security as a tool to promote societal security in the Arctic. In Human and societal security in the circumpolar Arctic (pp. 3–15). Brill.
 
62
State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China. (2018). China’s Arctic Policy.
 
63
Tillman, H., Yang, J., & Nielsson, E. T. (2018). The Polar Silk Road: China’s new frontier of international cooperation. China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 4(3), 345–362.
 
64
Hong, N. (2018). China’s interests in the Arctic: Opportunities and challenges (Institute for China-American Studies White Paper).
 
65
Alexeeva, O., & Lasserre, F. (2018). An analysis on Sino-Russian cooperation in the. Arctic in the BRI era. Advances in Polar Sciences, 29(4), 269–282.
 
66
Sheng, L., and do Nascimento, D. F. (2021) The Belt and Road initiative in South-South Cooperation: The impact on world trade and geopolitics. Palgrave Macmillan.
 
67
Sheng, L. (2010). Growth–volatility tradeoff in the face of financial openness: a perspective of developing economies. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 23(4), 609–622.
 
68
Sheng, L. (2011). Theorising free capital mobility: The perspective of developing countries. Review of International Studies, 37(5), 2519–2534.
 
69
Sheng, L. (2014). Capital controls and international development: A theoretical reconsideration. Global Policy, 5(1), 114–120.
 
70
Weidacher Hsiung, C. (2016). China and Arctic energy: Drivers and limitations. The Polar Journal, 6(2), 243–258.
 
71
Sheng, L., & Zhang, Z. Y. (in press). Revisiting global imbalances: A comparative analysis of income and consumption inequality. Economics & Politics.
 
72
Weidacher Hsiung, C. (2016). China and Arctic energy: Drivers and limitations. The Polar Journal, 6(2), 243–258.
 
73
Ibid.
 
74
Steblyanskaya, A., Qingchao, X., Razmanova, S., Steblyanskiy, N., & Denisov, A. (2021). China and Russia energy strategy development: Arctic LNG. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(4), 450–460.
 
75
Weidacher Hsiung, C. (2016). China and Arctic energy: Drivers and limitations. The Polar Journal, 6(2), 243–258.
 
76
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2021, May 17). A fresh start on U.S. Arctic Policy under Biden. Carnegie Moscow Center.
 
77
Foreign Policy. (2021, May 20). Biden positions U.S. as player in the Arctic.
 
Literature
Alexeeva, O., & Lasserre, F. (2018). An analysis on Sino-Russian cooperation in the. Arctic in the BRI era. Advances in Polar Sciences, 29(4), 269–282.
Bennett, M. M. (2015). How China sees the Arctic: Reading between extraregional and interregional narratives. Geopolitics, 20(3), 645–668. CrossRef
Biedermann, R. (2020). The Polar Silk Road: China’s multilevel Arctic strategy to globalize the Far North. Contemporary Chinese Political Economy and Strategic Relations, 6(2), 571–615.
Blaxekjær, L. Ø., Lanteigne, M., & Shi, M. (2018). The Polar Silk Road & the West Nordic Region. Arctic Yearbook, 2018, 437–455.
Blunden, M. (2012). Geopolitics and the northern sea route. International Affairs, 88(1), 115–129. CrossRef
Borgerson, S. (2008). Arctic meltdown: The economic and security implications of global warming. Foreign Affairs, 87(2), 63–77.
Havnes, H. (2020). The Polar Silk Road and China’s role in Arctic governance. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 4(1), 121–138. CrossRef
Ho, J. (2010). The implications of Arctic sea ice decline on shipping. Marine Policy, 34(3), 713–715. CrossRef
Hoogensen, G., Bazely, D., Christensen, J., Tanentzap, A., & Bojko, E. (2009). Human security in the Arctic-yes, it is relevant! Journal of Human Security, 5(2), 1–10. CrossRef
Hossain, K., Martín, J. M. R., & Petretei, A. (2018). Understanding human security as a tool to promote societal security in the Arctic. In Human and societal security in the circumpolar Arctic (pp. 3–15). Brill.
Hossain, K., Zojer, G., Greaves, W., Roncero, J., & Sheehan, M. (2017). Constructing Arctic security: An inter-disciplinary approach to understanding security in the Barents region. Polar Record, 53(1), 52–66. CrossRef
Kopra, S. (2020). China, great power responsibility and Arctic security. In Climate change and Arctic security (pp. 33–52). Springer.
Kossa, M. (2019). China’s Arctic engagement: Domestic actors and foreign policy. Global Change, Peace and Security, 32(1), 19–38. CrossRef
Li, X. P., Fang, Z., & Liu, H. Y. (2017). Rights and obligations of the Arctic Region under the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea and their relationship with geographically disadvantaged States. Polar Research (2), 279–285.
Li, Z. F., & Peng, Y. (2018). “The Polar Silk Road” and the Great Arctic Network: Role, evolution and China’s strategy. Northeast Asian Economic Research, 2(5), 5–20.
Lim, K. S. (2018). China’s Arctic policy and the Polar Silk Road vision. Arctic Yearbook 2018, 420–432.
Liu, N. (2018). Will China build a green Belt and Road in the Arctic? Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 27(1), 55–62. CrossRef
Mohr, J. (2020). China in the Arctic and the case of Greenland. In Handbook on geopolitics and security in the Arctic (pp. 113–129). Springer.
Pincus, R. (2020). Three-way power dynamics in the Arctic. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 14(1), 40–63.
Reinke de Buitrago, S. (2020). China’s aspirations as a “Near Arctic State”: Growing stakeholder or growing risk? In Handbook on geopolitics and security in the Arctic (pp. 97–112). Springer.
Sheng, L. (2010). Growth–volatility tradeoff in the face of financial openness: A perspective of developing economies. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 23(4), 609–622. CrossRef
Sheng, L. (2011). Theorising free capital mobility: The perspective of developing countries. Review of International Studies, 37(5), 2519–2534. CrossRef
Sheng, L. (2014a). Capital controls and international development: A theoretical reconsideration. Global Policy, 5(1), 114–120.
Sheng, L. (2014b). Economic structure, cost outsourcing and global imbalances. Journal of Australian Political Economy, 74, 81–95.
Sheng, L. (2014c). Effects of foreign expansion on local growth: The case of Macao. European Planning Studies, 22(8), 1735–1743.
Sheng, L. (2015). Theorizing income inequality in the face of financial globalization. The Social Science Journal, 52(3), 415–424. CrossRef
Sheng, L. (2021). How Covid-19 reshapes new world order: Political economy perspective. Springer.
Sheng, L., & do Nascimento, D. F. (2021a). The Belt and Road Initiative in South-South cooperation: The impact on world trade and geopolitics. Palgrave Macmillan.
Sheng, L., & do Nascimento, D. F. (2021b). Love and trade war: China and the US in historical context. Springer.
Sheng, L., & Share, M. (2022). Exchange between Russia and the Guangdong-Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area in a historical context. Revista de Cultura, 67, 46–59.
Sheng, L., & Zhang, Z. Y. (in press). Revisiting global imbalances: A comparative analysis of income and consumption inequality. Economics & Politics.
Steblyanskaya, A., Qingchao, X., Razmanova, S., Steblyanskiy, N., & Denisov, A. (2021). China and Russia energy strategy development: Arctic LNG. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(4), 450–460. CrossRef
Tillman, H., Yang, J., & Nielsson, E. T. (2018). The Polar Silk Road: China’s new frontier of international cooperation. China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 4(3), 345–362. CrossRef
Wang, H. J., Chen, H. P., & Liu, J. P. (2015). Arctic sea ice decline intensified haze pollution in eastern China. Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, 8(1), 1–9.
Weber, J. (2020). Limited cooperation or upcoming alliance? Russia, China and the Arctic. In Handbook on geopolitics and security in the Arctic (pp. 345–361). Springer.
Weidacher Hsiung, C. (2016). China and Arctic energy: Drivers and limitations. The Polar Journal, 6(2), 243–258.
Yilmaz, S. (2017). Exploring china’s Arctic strategy: Opportunities and challenges. China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 3(1), 57–78. CrossRef
Yilmaz, S., & Liu, C. M. (2019). Remaking Eurasia: The Belt and Road Initiative and China-Russia strategic partnership. Asia Europe Journal, 18(3), 259–280. CrossRef
Yin, Y., & Sheng, L. (2021). Theorizing about global imbalances: An inequality perspective. Argumenta Oeconomica, 46, 169–181. CrossRef
Zheng, Y. Q. (2019). China-Nordic blue economic passage: Basis, challenges and paths. China International Studies, (5), 29–49.
Zhu, X. P., Zhang, Y. F., Liu, X., & Wang, Y. G. (2018). Implementing the spirit of the 19th National Congress to build the “Ice Silk Road”-Jilin University-Russian Academy of Military Sciences “Ice Silk Road” Seminar. Northeast Asia Forum, 27(2), 3–7.
Metadata
Title
The Polar Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative: Integration and Optimization
Author
Edmund Li Sheng
Copyright Year
2022
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Book
Arctic Opportunities and Challenges

Print ISBN: 978-981-19-1245-0

Electronic ISBN: 978-981-19-1246-7

Copyright Year: 2022

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1246-7_8

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