《中國的北極政策》白皮書全文

國務院資訊辦公室26日發表《中國的北極政策》白皮書。全文如下：

中國的北極政策

China's Arctic Policy

（2024年1月26日）

January 26, 2024

中華人民共和國國務院資訊辦公室

Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

目錄

Contents

前言

Foreword">Foreword

一、北極的形勢與變化

I.The Arctic Situation and Recent Changes

二、中國與北極的關系

II. China and the Arctic

三、中國的北極政策目標和基本原則

III. China's Policy Goals and Basic Principles on the Arctic

四、中國參與北極事務的主要政策主張

IV. China's Policies and Positions on Participating in Arctic Affairs

結束語

Conclusion

前言

Foreword">Foreword

近年來，全球氣候變暖，北極冰雪融化加速。在經濟全球化、區域一體化不斷深入發展的背景下，北極在戰略、經濟、科研、環保、航道、資源等方面的價值不斷提升，受到國際社會的普遍關注。北極問題已超出北極國家間問題和區域問題的范疇，涉及北極域外國家的利益和國際社會的整體利益，攸關人類生存與發展的共同命運，具有全球意義和國際影響。

Global warming in recent years has accelerated the melting of ice and snow in the Arctic region. As economic globalization and regional integration further develops and deepens, the Arctic is gaining global significance for its rising strategic, economic values and those relating to scientific research, environmental protection, sea passages, and natural resources. The Arctic situation now goes beyond its original inter-Arctic States or regional nature, having a vital bearing on the interests of States outside the region and the interests of the international community as a whole, as well as on the survival, the development, and the shared future for mankind. It is an issue with global implications and international impacts.

中國倡導構建人類命運共同體，是北極事務的積極參與者、建設者和貢獻者，努力為北極發展貢獻中國智慧和中國力量。為了闡明中國在北極問題上的基本立場，闡釋中國參與北極事務的政策目標、基本原則和主要政策主張，指導中國相關部門和機構開展北極活動和北極合作，推動有關各方更好參與北極治理，與國際社會一道共同維護和促進北極的和平、穩定和可持續發展，中國政府發表本白皮書。

A champion for the development of a community with a shared future for mankind, China is an active participant, builder and contributor in Arctic affairs who has spared no efforts to contribute its wisdom to the development of the Arctic region. The Chinese government hereby issues this white paper, to expound its basic positions on Arctic affairs, to elaborate on its policy goals, basic principles and major policies and positions regarding its engagement in Arctic affairs, to guide relevant Chinese government departments and institutions in Arctic-related activities and cooperation, to encourage relevant parties to get better involved in Arctic governance, and to work with the international community to safeguard and promote peace and stability in, and the sustainable development of, the Arctic.

一、北極的形勢與變化

I.The Arctic Situation and Recent Changes

北極具有特殊的地理位置。地理上的北極通常指北極圈（約北緯66度34分）以北的陸海兼備的區域，總面積約2100萬平方公里。在國際法語境下，北極包括歐洲、亞洲和北美洲的毗鄰北冰洋的北方大陸和相關島嶼，以及北冰洋中的國家管轄范圍內海域、公海和國際海底區域。北極事務沒有統一適用的單一國際條約，它由《聯合國憲章》《聯合國海洋法公約》《斯匹次卑爾根群島條約》等國際條約和一般國際法予以規范。

The Arctic is situated at a special geographical location. It commonly refers to the area of land and sea north of the Arctic Circle (approximately 66 degrees 34 minutes N), totaling about 21 million square kilometers. In the context of international law, the Arctic includes the northernmost landmasses of Europe, Asia and North America adjacent to the Arctic Ocean and the relevant islands, and a combination of sea areas within national jurisdiction, high seas, and the Area in the Arctic Ocean. There is no single comprehensive treaty for all Arctic affairs. The Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Spitsbergen Treaty and other treaties and general international law govern Arctic affairs at present.

北極的大陸和島嶼面積約800萬平方公里，有關大陸和島嶼的領土主權分別屬于加拿大、丹麥、芬蘭、冰島、挪威、俄羅斯、瑞典、美國八個北極國家。北冰洋海域的面積超過1200萬平方公里，相關海洋權益根據國際法由沿岸國和各國分享。北冰洋沿岸國擁有內水、領海、毗連區、專屬經濟區和大陸架等管轄海域，北冰洋中還有公海和國際海底區域。

The continental and insular land territories in the Arctic cover an area of about 8 million square kilometers, with sovereignty over them belonging to Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States, respectively. The Arctic Ocean covers an area of more than 12 million square kilometers, in which coastal States and other States share maritime rights and interests in accordance with international law. These coastal States have within their jurisdiction internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves in the Arctic Ocean. Certain areas of the Arctic Ocean form part of the high seas and the Area.

北極域外國家在北極不享有領土主權，但依據《聯合國海洋法公約》等國際條約和一般國際法在北冰洋公海等海域享有科研、航行、飛越、捕魚、鋪設海底電纜和管道等權利，在國際海底區域享有資源勘探和開發等權利。此外，《斯匹次卑爾根群島條約》締約國有權自由進出北極特定區域，并依法在該特定區域內平等享有開展科研以及從事生產和商業活動的權利，包括狩獵、捕魚、采礦等。

States from outside the Arctic region do not have territorial sovereignty in the Arctic, but they do have rights in respect of scientific research, navigation, overflight, fishing, laying of submarine cables and pipelines in the high seas and other relevant sea areas in the Arctic Ocean, and rights to resource exploration and exploitation in the Area, pursuant to treaties such as UNCLOS and general international law. In addition, Contracting Parties to the Spitsbergen Treaty enjoy the liberty of access and entry to certain areas of the Arctic, the right under conditions of equality and, in accordance with law, to the exercise and practice of scientific research, production and commercial activities such as hunting, fishing, and mining in these areas.

北極具有獨特的自然環境和豐富的資源，大部分海域常年被冰層覆蓋。當前，北極自然環境正經歷快速變化。過去30多年間，北極地區溫度上升，使北極夏季海冰持續減少。據科學家預測，北極海域可能在本世紀中葉甚至更早出現季節性無冰現象。一方面，北極冰雪融化不僅導致北極自然環境變化，而且可能引發氣候變暖加速、海平面上升、極端天氣現象增多、生物多樣性受損等全球性問題。另一方面，北極冰雪融化可能逐步改變北極開發利用的條件，為各國商業利用北極航道和開發北極資源提供機遇。北極的商業開發利用不僅將對全球航運、國際貿易和世界能源供應格局產生重要影響，對北極的經濟社會發展帶來巨大變化，對北極居民和土著人的生產和生活方式產生重要影響，還可能對北極生態環境造成潛在威脅。在處理涉北極全球性問題方面，國際社會命運與共。

The Arctic boasts a unique natural environment and rich resources, with most of its sea area covered under thick ice for most of the year. The Arctic natural environment is now undergoing rapid changes. Over the past three decades, temperature has been rising continuously in the Arctic, resulting in diminishing sea ice in summer. Scientists predict that by the middle of this century or even earlier, there may be no ice in the Arctic Ocean for part of the year. On the one hand, melting ice in the Arctic has led to changes in the natural environment, or possibly can result in accelerated global warming, rising sea levels, increased extreme weather events, damaged biodiversity, and other global problems. On the other, with the ice melted, conditions for the development of the Arctic may be gradually changed, offering opportunities for the commercial use of sea routes and development of resources in the region. Commercial activities in the region will have considerable impact on global shipping, international trade and energy supply, bring about major social and economic changes, and exert important influence on the way of work and life of Arctic residents including the indigenous peoples. They may also pose a potential threat to the ecological environment of the Arctic. The international community faces the same threat and shares the same future in addressing global issues concerning the Arctic.

二、中國與北極的關系

II. China and the Arctic

中國是北極事務的重要利益攸關方。中國在地緣上是“近北極國家”，是陸上最接近北極圈的國家之一。北極的自然狀況及其變化對中國的氣候系統和生態環境有著直接的影響，進而關系到中國在農業、林業、漁業、海洋等領域的經濟利益。

China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs. Geographically, China is a "Near-Arctic State", one of the continental States that are closest to the Arctic Circle. The natural conditions of the Arctic and their changes have a direct impact on China's climate system and ecological environment, and, in turn, on its economic interests in agriculture, forestry, fishery, marine industry and other sectors.

同時，中國與北極的跨區域和全球性問題息息相關，特別是北極的氣候變化、環境、科研、航道利用、資源勘探與開發、安全、國際治理等問題，關系到世界各國和人類的共同生存與發展，與包括中國在內的北極域外國家的利益密不可分。中國在北冰洋公海、國際海底區域等海域和特定區域享有《聯合國海洋法公約》《斯匹次卑爾根群島條約》等國際條約和一般國際法所規定的科研、航行、飛越、捕魚、鋪設海底電纜和管道、資源勘探與開發等自由或權利。中國是聯合國安理會常任理事國，肩負著共同維護北極和平與安全的重要使命。中國是世界貿易大國和能源消費大國，北極的航道和資源開發利用可能對中國的能源戰略和經濟發展產生巨大影響。中國的資金、技術、市場、知識和經驗在拓展北極航道網絡和促進航道沿岸國經濟社會發展方面可望發揮重要作用。中國在北極與北極國家利益相融合，與世界各國休戚與共。

China is also closely involved in the trans-regional and global issues in the Arctic, especially in such areas as climate change, environment, scientific research, utilization of shipping routes, resource exploration and exploitation, security, and global governance. These issues are vital to the existence and development of all countries and humanity, and directly affect the interests of non-Arctic States including China. China enjoys the freedom or rights of scientific research, navigation, overflight, fishing, laying of submarine cables and pipelines, and resource exploration and exploitation in the high seas, the Area and other relevant sea areas, and certain special areas in the Arctic Ocean, as stipulated in treaties such as the UNCLOS and the Spitsbergen Treaty, and general international law. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China shoulders the important mission of jointly promoting peace and security in the Arctic. The utilization of sea routes and exploration and development of the resources in the Arctic may have a huge impact on the energy strategy and economic development of China, which is a major trading nation and energy consumer in the world. China's capital, technology, market, knowledge and experience is expected to play a major role in expanding the network of shipping routes in the Arctic and facilitating the economic and social progress of the coastal States along the routes. China has shared interests with Arctic States and a shared future with the rest of the world in the Arctic.

中國參與北極事務由來已久。1925年，中國加入《斯匹次卑爾根群島條約》，正式開啟參與北極事務的進程。此后，中國關于北極的探索不斷深入，實踐不斷增加，活動不斷擴展，合作不斷深化。1996年，中國成為國際北極科學委員會成員國，中國的北極科研活動日趨活躍。從1999年起，中國以“雪龍”號科考船為平臺，成功進行了多次北極科學考察。2004年，中國在斯匹次卑爾根群島的新奧爾松地區建成“中國北極黃河站”。截至2024年年底，中國在北極地區已成功開展了八次北冰洋科學考察和14個年度的黃河站站基科學考察。借助船站平臺，中國在北極地區逐步建立起海洋、冰雪、大氣、生物、地質等多學科觀測體系。2005年，中國成功承辦了涉北極事務高級別會議的北極科學高峰周活動，開亞洲國家承辦之先河。2024年，中國成為北極理事會正式觀察員。近年來，中國企業開始積極探索北極航道的商業利用。中國的北極活動已由單純的科學研究拓展至北極事務的諸多方面，涉及全球治理、區域合作、多邊和雙邊機制等多個層面，涵蓋科學研究、生態環境、氣候變化、經濟開發和人文交流等多個領域。作為國際社會的重要成員，中國對北極國際規則的制定和北極治理機制的構建發揮了積極作用。中國發起共建“絲綢之路經濟帶”和“21世紀海上絲綢之路”（“一帶一路”）重要合作倡議，與各方共建“冰上絲綢之路”，為促進北極地區互聯互通和經濟社會可持續發展帶來合作機遇。

China has long been involved in Arctic affairs. In 1925, China joined the Spitsbergen Treaty and started to participate in addressing the Arctic affairs. Since then, China has exerted more efforts in the exploration of the Arctic, expanding the scope of activities, gaining more experience and deepening cooperation with other participants. China's membership in the International Arctic Science Committee in 1996 marked its more active participation in scientific research in the Arctic. Since 1999, China has organized a number of scientific expeditions in the Arctic, with its research vessel Xue Long (Snow Dragon) as the platform. In 2004, China built the Arctic Yellow River Station in Ny Alesund in the Spitsbergen Archipelago. By the end of 2024, China has carried out eight scientific expeditions in the Arctic Ocean, and conducted research for 14 years with the Yellow River Station as the base. Using its research vessel and stations as platforms, China has gradually established a multi-discipline observation system covering the sea, ice and snow, atmosphere, biological, and geological system of the Arctic. The year 2005 saw China as the first Asian country to host the Arctic Science Summit Week, a high-level conference on Arctic affairs. In 2024, China became an accredited observer to the Arctic Council. In recent years, Chinese companies have begun to explore the commercial opportunities associated with Arctic shipping routes. China's activities in the Arctic have gone beyond mere scientific research, and expanded into diverse areas of Arctic affairs including the platforms of global governance, regional cooperation, and bilateral and multilateral affairs, and such disciplines as scientific research, ecological environment, climate change, economic development, and cultural exchanges. As an important member of the international community, China has played a constructive role in the formulation of Arctic-related international rules and the development of its governance system. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative), an important cooperation initiative of China, will bring opportunities for parties concerned to jointly build a "Polar Silk Road", and facilitate connectivity and sustainable economic and social development of the Arctic.

三、中國的北極政策目標和基本原則

III. China's Policy Goals and Basic Principles on the Arctic

中國的北極政策目標是：認識北極、保護北極、利用北極和參與治理北極，維護各國和國際社會在北極的共同利益，推動北極的可持續發展。

China's policy goals on the Arctic are: to understand, protect, develop and participate in the governance of the Arctic, so as to safeguard the common interests of all countries and the international community in the Arctic, and promote sustainable development of the Arctic.

認識北極就是要提高北極的科學研究水平和能力，不斷深化對北極的科學認知和了解，探索北極變化和發展的客觀規律，為增強人類保護、利用和治理北極的能力創造有利條件。

To understand the Arctic,China will improve the capacity and capability in scientific research on the Arctic, pursue a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Arctic science, and explore the natural laws behind its changes and development, so as to create favorable conditions for mankind to better protect, develop, and govern the Arctic.

保護北極就是要積極應對北極氣候變化，保護北極獨特的自然環境和生態系統，不斷提升北極自身的氣候、環境和生態適應力，尊重多樣化的社會文化以及土著人的歷史傳統。

To protect the Arctic, China will actively respond to climate change in the Arctic, protect its unique natural environment and ecological system, promote its own climatic, environmental and ecological resilience, and respect its diverse social culture and the historical traditions of the indigenous peoples.

利用北極就是要不斷提高北極技術的應用水平和能力，不斷加強在技術創新、環境保護、資源利用、航道開發等領域的北極活動，促進北極的經濟社會發展和改善當地居民的生活條件，實現共同發展。

To develop the Arctic, China will improve the capacity and capability in using applied Arctic technology, strengthen technological innovation, environmental protection, resource utilization, and development of shipping routes in the Arctic, and contribute to the economic and social development of the Arctic, improve the living conditions of the local people and strive for common development.

參與治理北極就是要依據規則、通過機制對北極事務和活動進行規范和管理。對外，中國堅持依據包括《聯合國憲章》《聯合國海洋法公約》和氣候變化、環境等領域的國際條約以及國際海事組織有關規則在內的現有國際法框架，通過全球、區域、多邊和雙邊機制應對各類傳統與非傳統安全挑戰，構建和維護公正、合理、有序的北極治理體系。對內，中國堅持依法規范和管理國內北極事務和活動，穩步增強認識、保護和利用北極的能力，積極參與北極事務國際合作。

To participate in the governance of the Arctic, China will participate in regulating and managing the affairs and activities relating to the Arctic on the basis of rules and mechanisms. Internationally, China is committed to the existing framework of international law including the UN Charter, UNCLOS, treaties on climate change and the environment, and relevant rules of the International Maritime Organization, and to addressing various traditional and non-traditional security threats through global, regional, multilateral and bilateral mechanisms, and to building and maintaining a just, reasonable and well-organized Arctic governance system. Domestically, China will regulate and manage Arctic-related affairs and activities within its jurisdiction in accordance with the law, steadily enhance its ability to understand, protect and develop the Arctic, and actively participate in international cooperation in Arctic affairs.