China contributes to development of Arctic

The peace, stability and sustainable development of the Arctic comply with the common interests of the world. China's economic and social developments are influenced by changes in the Arctic, so China is justified to actively participate in the development of the region, says an editorial in People's Daily. Excerpts:

The land areas of the Arctic belong to the Arctic countries, and its sea areas are governed by those countries. China fully respects those countries' sovereignties and administrative rights in the area.

But the Arctic also concerns the whole world in the fields of climate change as well as other global challenges and issues. The shipping lines in the Arctic directly affect international trade and the supply and demand of energy resources.

The Arctic Council, organized by eight Arctic countries, has been playing important roles in affairs of the Arctic. China became a signatory state of its Svalbard Treaty in 1925 and enjoys the same rights to enter and develop the Arctic as do the other signatory countries.

South Korea, Japan, India, Singapore, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and some other non-Arctic countries are actively participating in the peaceful development of the Arctic.

China strictly follows the rules and international agreements related to the Arctic and has organized five scientific research projects in the area since the 1990s.

China is open to constructive cooperation from the international community in the exploration of the Arctic. And China will continue to contribute to the exploration and development of the global area together with the international community.