前言

　　近年来，全球气候变暖，北极冰雪融化加速。在经济全球化、区域一体化不断深入发展的背景下，北极在战略、经济、科研、环保、航道、资源等方面的价值不断提升，受到国际社会的普遍关注。北极问题已超出北极国家间问题和区域问题的范畴，涉及北极域外国家的利益和国际社会的整体利益，攸关人类生存与发展的共同命运，具有全球意义和国际影响。

　　中国倡导构建人类命运共同体，是北极事务的积极参与者、建设者和贡献者，努力为北极发展贡献中国智慧和中国力量。为了阐明中国在北极问题上的基本立场，阐释中国参与北极事务的政策目标、基本原则和主要政策主张，指导中国相关部门和机构开展北极活动和北极合作，推动有关各方更好参与北极治理，与国际社会一道共同维护和促进北极的和平、稳定和可持续发展，中国政府发表本白皮书。

Foreword

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.

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、北极的形势与变化

　　北极具有特殊的地理位置。地理上的北极通常指北极圈（约北纬66度34分）以北的陆海兼备的区域，总面积约2100万平方公里。在国际法语境下，北极包括欧洲、亚洲和北美洲的毗邻北冰洋的北方大陆和相关岛屿，以及北冰洋中的国家管辖范围内海域、公海和国际海底区域。北极事务没有统一适用的单一国际条约，它由《联合国宪章》《联合国海洋法公约》《斯匹次卑尔根群岛条约》等国际条约和一般国际法予以规范。

　　北极的大陆和岛屿面积约800万平方公里，有关大陆和岛屿的领土主权分别属于加拿大、丹麦、芬兰、冰岛、挪威、俄罗斯、瑞典、美国八个北极国家。北冰洋海域的面积超过1200万平方公里，相关海洋权益根据国际法由沿岸国和各国分享。北冰洋沿岸国拥有内水、领海、毗连区、专属经济区和大陆架等管辖海域，北冰洋中还有公海和国际海底区域。

I.The Arctic Situation and Recent Changes

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.

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.