China's Participation in the International Arctic Research Organization

China's attention to the Arctic has increased significantly in recent decades due to a number of factors: vast mineral reserves, new sea routes, and the launch of international research campaigns. The latter factor provides legitimacy to China's entrenchment in the Arctic as a major power. The Chinese government has increased funding for scientific research in the region on an annual basis, as well as incentivising an additional number of researchers working on the Arctic issue. The government pays special attention to China's active participation in international organizations aimed at studying the Arctic.

Cooperation with international organisations was initiated in 1996, when China joined the International Arctic Scientific Committee, and in 2013 joined the Arctic Council as an observer. Over the years, IASC has become the leading scientific network institute in the Arctic. China takes an active part in the work of the Committee, being the leader in Arctic research among non-Arctic countries. In 2013, the Arctic Circle organization was established. Chinese scientists took an active part in the annual scientific events held by this organization. In 2013, the People's Republic of China received the permanent observer status in the Arctic Council. China is actively engaged in the work with the University of the Arctic. This is an international project that unites scientific institutes, research organizations, and universities. The China-Scandinavian Arctic Research Center was organized in Shanghai in 2013. The Arctic has become an important region for the realization of the geopolitical ambitions of the People's Republic of China. Research activities are an important area of this policy. The study shows the sustainability of China's strategic interest in Arctic exploring policy.